A literature review of violence against women was published by the Scottish Executive. It found that violence against women was widespread, and could affect women of any age, class, race, religion, sexuality, or ability. Factors which might increase vulnerability to some types of violence included age, disability, and poverty. Across all forms of violence and abuse, women were most at risk from men they knew.
Source: Lily Greenan, Violence against Women: A literature review, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2004-Nov
An independent working group recommended specific legislation in Scotland for hate crimes towards individuals based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability.
Source: Working Group on Hate Crime Report, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2004-Oct
A report of a project to monitor the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 said that the legislation was yielding real benefits for adults with incapacity and those who cared for and about them. (The Act provided a range of measures to safeguard the property, financial affairs and welfare of adults who were unable to act or make decisions themselves because of mental disorder or inability to communicate as a result of physical disability.)
Source: Jan Killeen and Fiona Myers (with others), The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000: Learning from Experience, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Summary | SE press release
Date: 2004-Oct
Researchers looked at progress made by policy makers and transport operators since 1998 in providing accessible transport for disabled people in Scotland. Progress had been made on many issues: but there were still some areas of Scotland where provision varied - public transport was generally worse for those living in very rural, sparsely populated, or island areas.
Source: Reid Howie Associates Ltd, Transport Provision for Disabled People in Scotland: Progress since 1998, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | Summary | SE press release
Date: 2004-Jul
A research report examined female offenders in Scotland and custody decisions. It was found that women were less likely to be remanded than men, and had a different profile of offending. The most common crimes for which women were remanded in custody differed from those which resulted in male remand; women were most likely to be remanded in custody for shoplifting and 'other theft', while men were most likely to be remanded for violence and 'other dishonesty'. There was a wide variation in the use of remand across the Sheriff Courts. Judicial opinion was found to differ on whether females should be treated any differently from males in relation to the bail/custody decision.
Source: Kevin Brown, Peter Duff and Fiona Leverick, A Preliminary Analysis of the Bail/Custody Decision in Relation to Female Accused, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2004-Mar
An official taskforce report said that gender inequality remained a widespread and persistent feature of contemporary Scottish society. It set out recommendations in a number of key areas such as employment and pay; childcare and other forms of caring; poverty and exclusion; violence; and influence and decision-making. It also suggested ways in which political institutions such as the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive could improve the way in which they dealt with women s issues.
Source: Strategic Group on Women, Improving the Position of Women in Scotland: Agenda for action, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2004-Mar
A report examined the healthcare needs of people with learning disabilities in Scotland.
Source: People with Learning Disabilities in Scotland: Health needs assessment report, NHS Scotland (0141 300 1026)
Links: Summary (pdf) | NHS Scotland press release
Date: 2004-Feb
A journal article examined some of the key problems that had prevented many local authorities in Scotland from offering direct payments as a mainstream service option for disabled people.
Source: Charlotte Pearson, 'Keeping the cash under control: what's the problem with direct payments in Scotland?', Disability & Society, Volume 19, No 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2004-Feb
The Scottish Executive published a consultation paper on hate crime. It examined the case for legal measures to address offences motivated by hatred or prejudice towards social groups.
Source: Working Group on Hate Crime: Consultation paper, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Consultation document
Date: 2004-Jan
