However, opposition MSPs noted a 14% annual increase in domestic abuse charges last year.
Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie agreed with Swinney’s “sincere” willingness to tackle violence against women, but said a “multi-faceted” approach was required, including a misogyny reduction unit, extra work in schools and investment in police.
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr warned that GPS tracking was a “technology, not necessarily a solution”, calling for more investment in community resources.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay praised the “extraordinary bravery” of survivors but urged ministers to strengthen bail laws and “robustly enforce breaches”.
He also called for ministers to scrap “ludicrous” sentencing guidelines that encourage rehabilitation rather than jail terms for under-25s.
Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer said extra measures were required to ensure that education in schools about harmful attitudes was being consistently delivered, and raised concerns about low reporting rates.
He also called for men to “contest” harmful views expressed by their peers.
Liberal Democrat MSP Yi-pei Chou Turvey called for the government to immediately launch its plans for special sexual offences court. Swinney told MSPs ministers planned to provide funding for the scheme in the next financial year.
Reform UK Scotland’s Amanda Lindsay questioned whether “some groups” committed more sexual crimes than others, calling for more data on offences against women and girls.