The government is providing £2.8m towards the Caledonian System, which sees abusers face up to their violent actions
A project which aims to change the behaviour of domestic abusers is set to be extended.
The Caledonian System is often used as an alternative to jail, with male perpetrators of abuse sent on a programme which aims to address their violent behaviour.
Now the Scottish Government has announced that it is committing an extra £2.8 million towards the initiative to allow it to be rolled out across Scotland.
More than 1,200 men have participated in the scheme and justice secretary Michael Matheson said evidence showed that those who had taken part are less likely to re-offend.
He said: “The Caledonian System has been running in parts of Scotland and the evidence indicates that men who completed the programme posed a lower risk to partners, children and others by the end of the programme. Women also reported that they felt safer.
"The funding I am announcing will further strengthen our push to eradicate this scourge on society. Domestic abuse offenders need to understand the harm they cause and what they can do to change their behaviour."
Those who take part in the scheme are still prosecuted for their crimes, and have their cases returned to court if they fail to engage with the course. The scheme has been delivered in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Falkirk, Dumfries and North Ayrshire.
Linda Rodgers, chief executive of Edinburgh Women's Aid, said: "It is crucial that we have a range of services across Scotland for those affected by domestic abuse and that these services include interventions to support perpetrators to change their behaviour.
"The Caledonian Programme is a safe and robust perpetrator programme developed in Scotland for the Scottish context.
"It has been in operation in Edinburgh for a number of years, working closely with survivors organisations and non-court mandated perpetrator programmes. I am absolutely delighted that the programme will now be operating and enhancing the safety of women and children across Scotland."
