MSP Kenneth Gibson has welcomed a £2.8 million investment to tackle domestic abuse following a successful ground-breaking initiative in North Ayrshire.

The Caledonian System, delivered in Ayrshire by Community Justice Ayrshire, is a specialist courtmandated programme working with male perpetrators of domestic abuse which also aims to improve the lives of affected women and children.

It is a direct alternative to custodial sentences. However, if at any point the programme is breached by the perpetrator, the case is returned to court for consideration.

Following success in North Ayrshire and four other community justice authorities, a further £2.8 million is now available to enable all councils to roll out the Caledonian System.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson said: “Levels of domestic abuse remain unacceptably high in North Ayrshire. We know official figures do not paint the whole picture, as victims are often too afraid to report abuse.

“The Caledonian System’s evaluation indicates that men who completed the programme posed a lower risk by the end of the programme. Women also reported that they felt safer.

“This programme was developed in Scotland, is specifically tailored to rehabilitate offenders and evidence shows it has already yielded positive results in North Ayrshire.

“I am therefore delighted that the SNP Government is investing additional resources to reduce reoffending further and protect vulnerable women and children.

“Domestic abuse offenders need to understand the harm they cause and what they can do to change their behaviour.”