MacAskill pledge on domestic abuse

A DEDICATED domestic abuse court has been set up in Edinburgh to speed up cases and provide more support for victims.

The pilot will initially run for a year, dealing with cases from the south and east police divisions of the city.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the court yesterday, where he met with Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen, sheriffs, specialist prosecutors and other members of the local domestic abuse working group.

Mr MacAskill said: “I support tough penalties for perpetrators and last year we introduced a new offence of ‘engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour’ to give greater protection to victims. We also introduced a groundbreaking phone helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.”