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The statistics (available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/10/2442) indicate that between 2006-07 and 2015-16, the number of recorded domestic abuse incidents in Orkney has increased from 22 per 10,000 population in 2005-06 to 64 per 10,000 population in 2015-16. This increase should be seen within the context of an increase across most local authorities in the same period and the rate per 10,000 population in Orkney in 2015-16 continuing to be well below than the national rate (64 compared to 108).

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling all violence against women and provided an additional £1.85m (2015-18) to Rape Crisis Scotland to enhance specialist support for victims across Scotland and, in partnership with Orkney and Shetland Women’s Aid, open the first-ever rape crisis services in these areas. These two vital support services are working together to raise awareness of domestic abuse in these communities and support victims to have the confidence to come forward and report it.

The Scottish Government is taking action and investing record levels of funding to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women across Scotland. In 2016/17, we have allocated £11.8million towards initiatives to tackle violence against women, including a range of front line services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Last year, the First Minister announced an additional £20million would be invested from the Justice Budget (over 2015-18) to tackle violence against women. We believe that in some cases, people feel more confident about reporting domestic abuse to the Police as they believe action will be taken.

We are committed to strengthening the law in this area through the introduction of a Bill creating a specific offence of domestic abuse in 2016-17. We will continue to take action to prevent and eradicate domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women and girls through the implementation of our strategy, Equally Safe.

Non-domestic rates liabilities have not yet been finalised for 2017. The revaluation by independent Assessors will update the rateable value of non-domestic properties, in line with rental values. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation for the 2017-18 rates poundage and any changes to reliefs in due course, having considered the revaluation effect across sectors.

The National Prisoner Healthcare Network’s workstreams on female offenders, mental health and psychological therapies will provide a range of opportunities for local services to consider the provision of services for women with borderline personality disorders and PTSD. In light of this, the Scottish Government does not intend to implement a separate review of the matter.

A range of training on mental health, including suicide prevention training, is coordinated by NHS Health Scotland, and is available to a variety of groups including police officers, prison officers, criminal justice social workers and third sector workers regarding their work with women offenders. This includes Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Skills-based Training on Risk Management (STORM) and safeTALK. Further information is available at http://www.smhfa.com/about/index.aspx and http://www.chooselife.net/Training/index.aspx

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission's commitment to extend free access to Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces, and the associated 120M WiFi4EU scheme. We exploring how Scotland’s potential benefits can be maximised.

The Scottish Government’s Public Wireless Programme, established in 2015, has already delivered improved Wi-Fi coverage in Scotland. The Programme provided just under £1M of grants in 2015-16 enabling local authorities to extend, or introduce, free Wi-Fi services across a range of buildings used by the public such as libraries, community centres and sports facilities. In tandem, the Programme has created best practice guidance in collaboration with public organisations to ensure wireless broadband projects are developed sustainably and genuinely match local needs.

The Scottish Government works collaboratively with a range of third sector and community based organisations who provide support and advice to people affected by domestic abuse and or forced marriage. Along with our partners in the Scottish Government facilitated forced marriage network, we have developed and distributed a range of printed and web based information and awareness raising materials which include information and contact details for a range of support organisations. All materials are available in English and in community languages. This ensures that those affected are aware of and understand the protection available and are able to access advice and support as required.

The Scottish Government also funds the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline, over £350K for 2016-2017, which is available 24 hours a day to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse. In October 2016, the Scottish Government announced an extra £665K to expand advice and support services for victims of gender based violence, through the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre.

The removal of public phone boxes is a reserved issue for which the Scottish Government has no direct role or influence, and which is governed by Ofcom's regulations on BT.

BT has indicated to the Scottish Government that it is currently consulting on the removal of 1525 boxes in Scotland but has confirmed that it won’t proceed with the proposed removal if no mobile signal can be detected near the box.

The removal of public phone boxes is a reserved issue for which the Scottish Government has no direct role or influence, and which is governed by Ofcom's regulations on BT. The Scottish Government is not consulted on phone box removal and does not hold any relevant data.

The information requested can be found in SPICe. The relevant BIB number is 58279.