New Podcast Marks 20 Years of ASSIST

A new podcast celebrates a Glasgow City Council run service which has helped thousands of domestic abuse victims over the past 20 years.

Every eight minutes, Police Scotland deal with a report of domestic abuse and every year, an average of nine people are killed in domestic homicides in this country.

Research has shown that advocacy and support are the biggest factors in minimising trauma and enhancing feelings of safety for victims and witnesses.

ASSIST supports victims of domestic abuse and their children through the court system when their alleged abuser is being prosecuted.

Run by Glasgow City Council, ASSIST is the biggest service of its type in Scotland. It is funded by the Scottish Government and helps people from Argyll and Bute; Ayrshire (East, North and South); Dumfries and Galloway; Glasgow; Dunbartonshire (East and West); Inverclyde; Lanarkshire (North and South) and Renfrewshire (including East Renfrewshire).

ASSIST guides victims through the legal system - ensuring they are safe and supported throughout proceedings. Specialist staff do everything from explaining legal terms to drawing up safety plans to increase victims' safety (particularly when the accused is on bail).

The ASSIST@20 podcast also marks 20 years of Glasgow's dedicated domestic abuse court and recognises the close partnership working between ASSIST, the Procurator Fiscals Service and Police Scotland to improve the court experience for victims.

A panel of experts feature on the podcast, including Mhairi McGowan who managed ASSIST from 2005 to 2019 and is now an independent violence against women and girls consultant; Fiona McMullen, Operations Manager at ASSIST and one of the first advocacy workers; Emma Forbes, Lead National Prosecutor for Domestic Abuse, who was the first prosecutor in Glasgow's domestic abuse court and Fil Capaldi, a retired Detective Superintendent from Police Scotland, who was looking after domestic abuse in 2004.

The expertise of staff and the experiences of service users also help inform and advise decision-makers. 

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, congratulated ASSIST on reaching this "significant milestone" via a video message sent to the podcast launch.

She said: "ASSIST is a key partner, playing a vital role in our efforts to challenge the relentless nature of violence against women and girls.

"It's a challenge we are meeting head on, but a challenge, clearly, with more to do. 

"Services like ASSIST stand on the very frontline, providing victims with vital support. Ensuring that victims of domestic abuse are safe, informed and supported throughout the court process and beyond."

The podcast was funded by the University of Edinburgh to highlight the life-changing nature of ASSISTS' work and the need for a national roll out of specialist services.

Bailie Paul McCabe of the Safe Glasgow Partnership, congratulated ASSIST staff on their vital work to support victims.

He said: "The support you provide is invaluable to victims and their children at a time when they may feel confused, vulnerable and overwhelmed by the legal system."

The podcast is available HERE

Further information on ASSIST can be found at www.assistscotland.org.uk/