NEW measures to tackle the worsening “epidemic” of violence against women and girls in Scotland will be announced today, First Minister John Swinney has said.

He vowed to show “much greater personal leadership” to try to stem a rise in killings linked to domestic abuse and said his concerns will be reflected as he sets out the Programme for Government.

The SNP leader said that he had been spurred to act following recent meetings with abuse survivors and with the family of Stacy Hunter, who was murdered three weeks after her estranged husband appeared in court charged with assaulting her and was released on bail.

He added that he blamed “extreme misogyny” and “appalling” online behaviours which are “being spread unfettered in our society” for a rise in the number of women’s deaths linked to domestic abuse.

Insisting that there were good reasons why the Scottish government dropped plans for legislation to criminalise misogyny in May 2025, he vowed: “It will be an issue that will be addressed in the Programme for Government.”

Liz Curran, from the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance, said that the First Minister was “right to recognise that violence against women and girls demands urgent and sustained action” but insisted: “After years of commitments, women and girls need to see meaningful change, not simply another set of promises.

“The Programme for Government must deliver concrete measures that prevent violence, protect women and girls at risk, and hold perpetrators to account.

“That means properly resourcing specialist services, strengthening the response to domestic abuse and sexual violence, and ensuring the justice system acts decisively when women and girls are at risk.”

Ms Curran added the charity had “been clear with the Scottish Government about what is needed to end violence against women and girls, and to support those affected by it in the meantime.”

She insisted that specialist rape crisis services form “a critical part of that response and must have the sustainable funding needed to meet demand and provide women and girls with the support they need.

“The First Minister has spoken about the need for political leadership. We agree. But leadership must be measured by action and outcomes, not rhetoric.

“The test of this Programme for Government will be whether it makes women and girls safer.”