Holyrood Election: Women's Safety
Tay FM is asking Scotland's political parties what they will do to keep women safe.
Last updated 1st Apr 2021
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May, Tay FM is speaking to the main political parties about their pledges to keep women safe.
It follows a special discussion streamed on Wednesday 31 March about the issue, in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder.
You can watch the programme here.
SNP
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon says there will be a "big commitment" in the party's manifesto to provide more support to organisations helping victims of gender-based crime.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Glasgow, she said: "It's about making changes to the streetscape of our communities, and not just to make women feel safer and be safer, but it's also about education of boys and men about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
"There is a range of things we need to do, and it's an issue I feel very strongly about, as I'm sure many other people do."
Conservatives
The Scottish Conservatives are pledging to scrap the controversial "not proven" verdict in criminal court cases.
The party's leader, Douglas Ross, says: "If you look at the victims' law, and you look at some of the families that are campaigning for changes, that sadly comes off the back of some female victims.
"Women need to feel safe walking around their communities, and going to and from work.
"The case of Sarah Everard has reinforced everyone's views that no woman should be afraid to walk home at night, after work or after a night out."
Labour
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says his party will set out its pledges in the coming days.
Speaking to Tay FM, he said: "One of the things I've been really struck by since the Sarah Everard case is that women aren't surprised, and that's the most tragic thing here.
"Every single day there are women across our country who have to think twice before walking down certain streets, who have to check they have enough charge in their phone incase they get in a difficult situation, and they have to think twice about how they travel.
"That is completely unacceptable.
"We need to make sure we have the appropriate laws, and give women adequate protection, but alongside that we have to change the culture, which means confronting men, and making men understand that they have a responsibility about how they act.
Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Lib Dem leader, Willie Rennie, says they will set up a cross-party commission to examine how to tackle violence against women and girls.
He said: "Whether it is in our schools, our libraries, or on our streets, in our businesses, or in our gyms, all of those places must have new practices and procedures to make sure that women and girls feel safe.
"I feel safe. I can travel, I can walk, go anywhere almost at any time of the day, but that's not the experience for many women and girls, and that needs to change."
Greens
We spoke to Glasgow Councillor Kim Long, who represents the Scottish Greens.
"Today, we have our full council meeting, and all of the women councillors have come together to put forward a joint motion.
"For me, it's about deeds, not words. I think it's helpful when men stand up and talk about these things, but for me it's about how you act when the spotlight is not on you."