I recently took part in a BBC Disclosure documentary detailing my experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse and stalking. The documentary featured the stories of seven women, all from different parts of Scotland, as we navigate life after leaving abuse.

Though each case was radically different, many of the same frustrations were felt, and similar systemic limitations were exposed. I decided to participate as I felt having a range of perspectives represented could help shed an honest light on the ways in which the Scottish criminal justice system can be both helpful, and potentially harmful, to those who report abuse.

It would be remiss of me to make generalisations about an underfunded, overwhelmed system which isn't fit for purpose, so I will instead highlight some key areas identified by a number of survivors which have been put into an open letter for MPs.

Many of us felt as though bail conditions may as well not be there, and that's if you're one of the complainants lucky enough to have them granted. All but one of the survivors who took part in the BBC disclosure documentary had the bail conditions designed to keep them safe repeatedly breached, with no consequences, even in cases where there was CCTV footage and other concrete evidence which might have proven a breach.

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Knowing reports wouldn't be taken seriously or result in any kind of consequences left many of the women, including myself, reluctant to report further offences. We can see the devastating consequence of this kind of systemic lapse in the case of Claire Inglis, who was murdered in Stirling........

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