DOMESTIC violence was once again in the spotlight this week as former MSP Bill Walker was jailed for 12 months after being convicted of offences against three former wives and a stepdaughter spanning three decades.

Another report, this time from the University of St Andrews, indicated that there was a link between Old Firm matches and a rise in domestic abuse incidents in Glasgow.

While this has been suggested previously, this was the first academic study to find a statistical link between these matches and domestic abuse.

The national trend is not altogether clear in that there are still issues with reporting the problem, and many instances date back many years.

But the fact of the matter remains: too many women and men are being subjected to violence and intimidation in their own homes.

I read a particularly stark figure on the BBC recently which said that a case of domestic abuse was reported in Scotland every 10 minutes, a truly shocking fact.

So what are we to do to try and tackle this problem head on?

Firstly, we need to be clear that domestic abuse in any form is not acceptable. There is never an excuse, and that message needs to get through to the perpetrators.

Victims, too, need reassurance that they are not to blame.

BUT questions have also been raised about how cases are dealt with by the justice system.

The Crown Office and the police have worked hard to improve their response to the issue and my direct experience of police handling of domestic violence issues is of a wonderful, sensitive, professional and reassuring response.

I couldn't praise the officers highly enough.

However, a number of victims' groups have raised concerns over the fact that many of these cases are still dealt with by way of a summary trial, rather than a solemn trial involving a jury. This was the case for Bill Walker MSP and the reason that the maximum sentence he could receive was 12 months in prison.

For single common assaults summary trials, presided over by a sheriff, may be appropriate.

But many cases of domestic abuse involve years of violent, abusive and controlling behaviour, and Scottish Women's Aid, among other groups, have argued that they are serious enough to merit a trial by jury where longer custodial sentences are available.

There is always more that can be done to support those who come forward to report new cases and to support those who are trying to get their life back on track after suffering from domestic abuse.

The reality of our sentencing system is that even if a court hands down a 12-month sentence the offender will likely just serve six.

For shorter sentences this could mean the offenders only serve a matter of weeks.

In cases of domestic abuse, this time period can often be critical in allowing the victim to change circumstances and get on with their life without having to live in fear of a former partner.