Commenting following FMQs, Scottish Labour acting leader Jackie Baillie said: “Violence against women and girls is a global problem and a blight on our society.

“Since 2022 sexual crime rates are up by 11 percent, rates of rape have soared by almost a third and domestic abuse rates up by a shocking 81 percent.

“The promised Sexual Offences Court is still not in place – and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service claim they have had no extra money to deliver it.

“But it isn’t enough to get cases heard in court.

“Women are being failed even after abusers are known to the justice system.

“We all remember the tragic killing of Claire Inglis in 2021 – murdered after her dangerous boyfriend was bailed to her address.

“And this summer we were all horrified by the murder of Stacy Hunter – killed by her former partner who had been bailed and told to stay away from her.

“Stacy’s family has demanded that the SNP government catch up with other countries and roll out GPS tracking of violent offenders on bail – but the Justice Secretary has been unable to say when this will be in place.

“A year after the Women’s Rights Network published data on sexual assaults in hospitals, they report no progress.

“This Parliament legislated to create Domestic Abuse Protection Orders – giving the police extra powers to protect victims.

“Five years on they are still not in place.

“We are still waiting to see the SNP’s long promised misogyny bill.

“In 2023 their changes to bail laws removed vital protections for domestic abuse victims, and the SNP is failing to exempt rapists and sex offenders from its latest plans to release prisoners early.

“I do not doubt the good intentions of John Swinney and his government, I believe he is sincere, but their choices and delays have been fatal.

“The First Minister must acknowledge that his government has failed to keep women safe, and guarantee that his warm words will finally be backed up with action.”