Every single year, Scottish police record around 60,000 cases of domestic abuse. That’s just one sobering statistic in a slew of others, a drop in an ocean of violence. Every time I write about this topic I struggle to find new data that will finally convince people to start listening and trying to affect change.

The number of survivors who never make it to trial? Those who do and are denied justice? Those traumatised not only by the perpetrator but the legal system and the societal stigma that hangs over society like a dark cloud of apathy and ignorance?

As a survivor myself, I could wax lyrical about the positive and encouraging responses I’ve had from people, the frustration, the empathy, but nothing hurts more than the collective impotence we feel at not being able to change things.

Seeing 24 hour-a-day courts set up in the rest of the UK during the riots a few weeks ago left me feeling conflicted. I completely agree with expanding resources within the justice system, a fair and speedy trial is incredibly important for all parties involved in criminal proceedings, and I couldn’t help but think of the thousands of survivors up and down Scotland right now, waiting years for their day in court, who might benefit from similar measures.

I loathe to think of just how many of them are living for years with the fear, as I had to, that despite all the evidence, all the reports and the interviews and the statements, that a dangerous perpetrator might go free.

This year the Scottish Government released data suggesting that the average wait time for survivors reporting historic offences under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 from offence to sentencing is 1,344 days, which is three years and eight months. I had to wait four years, and I can tell you honestly that if I had known it would take that long, that the stalking I was experiencing would be exacerbated by me reporting, and allowed to continue for so long, I would’ve thought twice about even going to the police in the first place.

It’s not just the extremely long waiting times that are causing so much damage, so many aspects of the process seem designed in such a way as to disadvantage complainants, and benefit perpetrators. Survivors aren’t consulted at all when it comes to plea deals, and regardless of how long a guilty plea has been withheld, offering it at the last minute still results in a reduction in the severity of the punishment.

There is currently a backlog of over 3,000 people waiting for the outcome of their domestic abuse trial, after which, many of them will join the 12,500 people in the past five years in which perpetrators were handed an admonition. How can we, in good conscience, urge vulnerable survivors to report their abuse and then force them to wait years for such a traumatic and apathetic system to conclude?

Trying to explain the process of reporting someone who approaches me for advice is a difficult balance to strike. On the one hand I want to encourage people to come forward about their abuse in order to access support and justice, but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the shortcomings of a system which is ostensibly there to help survivors feel safe and empowered, but often leaves them with additional trauma and emotional distress.

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It is clear that the Scottish public is ready for systemic change, not lip service designed to win votes and garner the attention of the media, but the kind of progress that will offer real and practical help to combat the epidemic of abuse currently sweeping our nation.

That’s why I am heartened to see campaigns like #herfreedomscotland, designed not only to raise awareness, but to call for action. The campaign runs till the 26th September and involves taking a photo or creating something, focusing on the image of a pair of shoes in a place which represents freedom. #herfreedomscotland invites people to imagine and work towards a Scotland that can eliminate not only domestic abuse itself, but also the shame and stigma which still surrounds it.

Dr Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said, “The campaign will help us all imagine a Scotland free from domestic abuse, filled with women and children who never feel the constraints of coercion and control, of constantly being less powerful, less prosperous, with more responsibility but less authority.

“Like everyone, we often struggle to imagine a world without domestic abuse, and maybe that’s why we have made so little progress in eradicating domestic abuse. #HerFreedomScotland will help us all see and reach out for the Scotland we can create. Creativity can truly be a force for change.”

When it comes to campaigns like this, it’s important to keep in mind that awareness raising is for the general public, not politicians. Members of local and national government are well aware of the size and severity of the problems within our criminal justice system, and every day our government does not start implementing change within that system is a day they are failing survivors, and their families.

(Image: Glasgow Sheriff court.)

Recently, a group of survivors met with Cabinet Secretary Justice Minister Angela Constance and Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland to discuss their experiences with the criminal justice system and how to improve outcomes for those affected by abuse. While it is encouraging to see politicians take the time to engage with the issue, I would welcome any attempts to take this lived experience and use it to more directly help alleviate the current stress placed upon survivors attempting to navigate the justice system.

Domestic abuse is not a political issue, it will take cross-party support to ensure effective and compassionate legislation is passed to improve outcomes for survivors. The work Scottish Women's Aid does every day for survivors cannot be understated and seeing so many other people participating in the campaign, it is clear that change isn't just being asked for, but demanded.

For my contribution to #Herfreedomscotland, I’ve taken a picture of my shoes at home, somewhere that is thankfully now a safe place for me. I long for the day when the same can be said for every person in Scotland, and instead of relating to those of us who write about abuse, people register nothing but shock because we have left domestic abuse behind, shed it like the skin of a sick culture. Sadly, it seems we are still a long way away from the ideal outcome of #herfreedomscotland, there is so very long to go before Scotland is a society without domestic abuse.

Until that day comes I hope the government can prioritise the needs of survivors in their legislation and for once, put themselves in our shoes.