Megha and Christy are joined by Louise Johnson who is a Legal Issues Worker at Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA). Louise talks to us about the work that SWA carry out to protect women and children who have experienced domestic abuse and how they campaign for change at a national level. We talk about the different forms of domestic abuse and the impact that the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 had on prosecutions and convictions of these crimes. We spoke about the effect of COVID-19 and the current cost of living crisis on women and how SWA continues to support women through these tough times. Louise also shares how we can get involved and support our local Women’s Aid group and make a real difference to the lives of those in need.

TRIGGER WARNING: Themes of domestic abuse including physical, emotional and sexual abuse and gender inequality. 

Scottish Women’s Aid website – www.womensaid.scot

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – www.sdafmh.org.uk

HMICS Thematic Inspection of Police Scotland Handling of Domestic Abuse - https://www.hmics.scot/publications/hmics-thematic-inspection-domestic-abuse-phase-1

Research into implementation of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act - https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/news-events/news/domestic-abuse-victims-find-justice-process-traumatic

If you or anyone you know has been affected by this conversation please reach out to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234.