In a letter to the minister for older people and equalities, Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee asked what actions are being taken to protect vulnerable women during the coronavirus crisis.

It was reported yesterday that there has been a drop in crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018.

The committee, which is investigating the human rights impact of COVID-19 and the effect of the emergency measures imposed on people across Scotland, has heard evidence that women are at increased risk of domestic abuse due to lockdown restrictions.

Committee convener Ruth Maguire MSP said: “The committee has heard distressing evidence about the detrimental impact of the response to this pandemic on vulnerable women across Scotland.

“We are asking the Scottish government what actions it is taking to fulfil women’s right to protection during the coronavirus emergency, including monitoring and responding to the need for extra support, refuge places and housing, and clear communications further promoting the support available and women being lawfully allowed to leave home to escape violence.

“The committee would like to know what the Scottish government is doing specifically to help more vulnerable women who experience different and complex barriers, including, for example, where English is not their first language and who therefore cannot access helplines or access the internet to get the support they need.”

A further concern of the committee is the impact of coronavirus legislation on mental health.

Schedule 9 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 provides for longer periods of emergency detention and makes it simpler for securing short-term detention certificates and compulsory treatment orders, but the powers have not yet been brought into force.

The committee therefore recommends that the Scottish government works with the UK government to repeal Schedule 9.

The letter states: “These powers have not been used, even at the peak of the outbreak, and therefore can no longer be deemed as proportionate. The committee is concerned that the longer these powers remain in law the harder it will be to reverse the position.”