Reports of domestic abuse in Scotland continue to rise

Scots Karen Dunbar and Janey Godley, along with Lucy Porter and Funny Women award winner Zoe Lyons, are hoping to raise further awareness of the issue.

The women are all performing at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

Almost 50,000 reports of domestic abuse were made to police in 2006-7, a rise of 7% since the previous year.

The Scottish Domestic Abuse helpline received more than 21,000 calls last year alone and thousands more received help from local Women's Aid agencies.

'Tough journey'

Janey Godley said the violence that some women continued to suffer was simply unacceptable.

"Every woman has the right to feel safe in her own home and to feel secure within her family," she added.

"Domestic abuse takes away the core security of a family and subjects women and children to live in fear. That needs to stop."

Lucy Porter added: "It takes a lot of courage for someone who is experiencing domestic abuse to seek help. But once you make that first step, you really can start to move on with your life.

"It can be a tough journey but at some point it becomes clear that there's still a lot to laugh about and love in life."

Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell claimed that International Women's Day was an ideal day to reflect on gender equality in Scotland and the work that still has to be done to eradicate violence against women.

"The lives of too many women and young people in Scotland are devastated by violence against women and domestic abuse," he said.