The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Baby loss mum’ s law change bid
MSPS have unanimously agreed to note a Perth mum’s petition calling for domestic violence that causes miscarriage to be made a specific offence.
Nicola Murray was six weeks pregnant in 2013 when her ex, whose abusive behaviour she had previously reported to police, caused her to lose her unborn child.
After she broke up with him, Nicola’s then-partner flew into a fit of rage.
The day after the incident Nicola miscarried her child.
Yesterday, Nicola attended a debate in the Scottish Parliament after lodging a petition at Holyrood calling for the creation of an Unborn Victims of Violence Act.
Speaking to The Courier earlier this week, she said: “As far as the law is concerned that baby didn’t exist because it never drew breath, but it existed to me. I’d known I was pregnant for a full week.
“Something has to be done, and if I don’t speak up then I’m relying on someone else to do it. If not me, then who? I want to make sure other women have the access to justice that I was denied.”
The petition was unanimously noted by MSPS.
Jackson Carlaw, convener of the parliament’s public petitions committee, led the debate. In an opinion column for The Courier, Mr Carlaw said his committee was bringing Nicola’s petition to the chamber to “confront the sobering reality” that there are silently suffering victims whose voices often go unheard.
He said: “The evidence presented to our committee painted an unjust landscape for the victims and survivors of such crimes.
“Nicola’s unwavering determination to seek justice, despite enduring such unimaginable loss, epitomises her own strength and, we hope today through this debate, demonstrates the ability of petitioners to effect meaningful change.”
Scotland is the only part of the UK where causing a miscarriage or still birth through violence or abuse in not a specific crime. Abusers are only prosecuted for offences against the victim.
“We cannot allow victims of domestic violence in Scotland to endure further trauma by relegating their suffering and miscarriages into a catchall offence,” Mr Carlaw said.
“The creation of a distinct offence or aggravator is something the Scottish Government must now consider to fully recognise the rights and dignity of all individuals.”