SafeLives’ statement on the Courts and Tribunals Bill welcomes reforms that prioritise survivor safety, including the removal of the presumption of parental contact and stronger protections for victims. However, we raise concerns about proposals for judge-only trials and call for proper investment in the justice system.

SafeLives has today announced that our CEO, Ellen Miller, is taking early retirement for personal reasons following major life changes. 

We are calling on the next Scottish Government to transform the response to domestic abuse so that every victim-survivor can live free from fear.

Counter allegations training for domestic abuse professionals, designed to help identify the primary perpetrator, understand manipulative tactics, and respond to complex cases with confidence.

The Police Reform White Paper sets out the government’s intention to rebuild trust in policing and improve how police respond to harm, including domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

SafeLives stands ready to work with government, the judiciary, probation and wider criminal justice partners to ensure these reforms deliver genuine safety. Victim‑survivors deserve a system that consistently identifies domestic abuse, reduces risk, and holds perpetrators to account.

SafeLives responds to a new joint inspectorate report, setting out why children must be recognised as victims in their own right and why a whole family approach, specialist support and survivor voice are critical to ending domestic abuse.

Expression of interest / CHIDVA

SafeLives welcomes the Government’s decision to commission an urgent independent inspection into recruitment and vetting standards at the Metropolitan Police.