Policy Priorities 

Access to Justice 

The law and justice system have a vital role to play in protecting women and children experiencing domestic abuse and holding perpetrators to account. 

We work to strengthen legal protections and improve access to justice, including ensuring that laws and legal processes recognise the realities and impacts of domestic abuse. We advocate for accessible, timely and domestic abuse-informed legal services and for the effective implementation of legislation that protects women and children. 

Children and young people 

Children and young people are not simply witnesses to domestic abuse – they are victim-survivors in their own right. While Scotland has taken important steps to strengthen children’s rights and participation, including through the Children (Scotland) Act 2020, delays in implementation mean many mothers and children continue to experience harm from systems meant to protect them. 

We work to improve justice processes for mothers and children, ensuring child contact decisions are safe, informed and rooted in children’s rights.  

We advocate for children’s meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives, including access to independent advocacy and support. 

We influence policy and systems to ensure a better understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, including its impact on their safety, relationships, wellbeing, development and future opportunities. 

Housing 

A safe, secure home is fundamental to safety, recovery and independence. Domestic abuse can place women and children at significant risk of homelessness and can make it difficult to remain safely in the family home. Women and children experiencing domestic abuse have a genuine right to housing, not just a roof over their heads, but a home that is the foundation to rebuild their lives.  

We work to ensure that housing and homelessness policy recognises domestic abuse and responds to the specific needs of women and children. We advocate for safe, secure and appropriate housing options, meaningful choice and control, and responses that prevent domestic abuse from becoming a pathway to homelessness. 

Economic abuse 

Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse that can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on women and children. Despite its prevalence, it remains under-recognised and is often poorly understood by the systems and services that women rely on for support 

Economic abuse affects an estimated 4.2 million women across the UK. It involves a partner or ex-partner restricting, exploiting or sabotaging a survivor’s economic resources such as housing, transport, food, employment, education and money. It creates financial instability and dependence that ultimately traps women and children with abusive partners because they do not have the resources to leave.  

Our work focuses on improving how systems identify and respond to economic abuse. We work to ensure that policies, services and institutions recognise its impact, prevent further harm and support women and children to live safely and independently. 

Work with us 

Effective policy change depends on evidence, expertise and the voices of those with lived experience.

We welcome opportunities to work with individuals, groups, and organisations to advocate for women and children affected by domestic abuse and help us influence lasting change across Scotland.  

If you have research, evidence, professional expertise, lived experience or insight that could inform our policy work, we would like to hear from you. 

Contact us to find out more about our current priorities or discuss how we can work together to protect the rights, safety and wellbeing of women and children. 

For policy enquiries, please contact: PolicyTeam@scottishwomensaid.org.uk