§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the links between domestic abuse and child abuse will be recognised in the Scottish Strategy against domestic abuse, and that children's experiences of domestic abuse will be included. [52269]
§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The links between domestic abuse and child abuse are increasingly becoming recognised. The Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence can be expected to take account of this as it develops the Scottish strategy on domestic violence. The wide range of membership of the Partnership should ensure that all aspects of domestic abuse are considered.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to follow up the research on service provision to women experiencing domestic violence in Scotland, published by the Scottish Office Central Research Unit with initiatives and research to address the needs of children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. [52268]
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§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The research we have already published "Service Provision to Women Experiencing Domestic Violence in Scotland" has provided us with a good basis for the improvement of services. We will consider the need for further initiatives and research in the light of the recommendations which will be received from the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to facilitate consultation with children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse in developing policy, practice and provision. [52262]
§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 24 July 1998]: Our aim in establishing the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence is to ensure that it contains a wide range of interests, including those who are knowledgeable about the problems faced by children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, so that they can reflect this in the work of the Partnership. It will also be open to the Partnership to carry out its own consultations with children and young people.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legal safeguards to prevent women and children being placed at risk of further abuse due to contact between children and abusive fathers. [52261]
§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 provides for parental responsibilities and rights (such as contact) to continue after separation or divorce. If contact results in risk of abuse, a range of protective measures are available. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 allows a court to deprive a person of parental responsibilities and rights. The Act also introduced orders to protect children and to exclude a named person from the family home. As part of its remit, the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence will take full account of the impact of domestic violence and will consider the adequacy of existing safeguards. The matter of consultation will be for the Partnership to determine as its work progresses.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase access to support and protection following domestic abuse for(a) women and children from rural areas, (b) ethnic minority women and children and (c) those who have a family member with disabilities or special educational needs. [52260]
§ Mr. McLeish[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The remit of our proposed Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence will include a requirement to consider particularly the problems in obtaining access to services which affect women and children living in rural areas; women and children from ethnic minorities; and women or children who have disabilities.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the treatment of children and young people experiencing domestic abuse in local authorities' children's services plans. [52793]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 28 July 1998]: Extensive guidance on the provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 was issued last year. Although the guidance does not specifically refer to children and young people who experience domestic abuse, it does identify children 287W who are in need of protection and children whose health and development is suffering among those categories of children for whom local authorities should plan services.
I do not propose to issue further guidance at this stage, but the existing guidance will be reviewed in due course in the light of experience and of any recommendations received from the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence.