Violence Against Women & Girls

Significant convictions  

On Thursday 22 December 2022, at the High Court in Edinburgh, 33 year old Robert Findlay was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a ten year non-harassment order, following his conviction in respect of a number of sexual offences including sexual assault and rape.  The conviction and sentence followed an investigation into historical offences spanning six years against one victim.  

On Thursday 5 January 2023, at the High Court in Edinburgh, 47 year old Stephen Whyte was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and a five year supervision order, following his conviction in respect of sexual offences, assault and abduction. The conviction and sentence followed an investigation by Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force, into offences against four women from Fife, which took place over a fourteen year period. This conviction was enabled by the bravery, courage and dignity of the women who came forward to report what had happened to them.

On Tuesday 14 February, Duncan Stanners, aged 35, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at the High Court in Edinburgh after having been found guilty of the serious sexual abuse of women between 2010 and 2020 in Fife and East Lothian.   

Police Scotland remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls by targeting offenders, delivering a professional and sensitive response for victims, and continuing to encourage those who face abuse to come forward. 

‘Is That Me’ Campaign

Our domestic abuse campaign ‘Is That Me’ commenced on Tuesday 13 December 2022.  The campaign challenges attitudes that drive abusive behaviour in men aged 18 – 25 years, and encourages them to reflect on their current attitudes and behaviours with regards to relationships and how they treat partners and take action to stop domestic abuse before it starts.