5. SHARED APPROACH TO TACKLING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
5.1 The Approach
Violence against women is both complex and wide in its scope. We know that there are limited resources and that it is important to ensure that we all try to move this agenda forward together. This will be assisted if we share a common understanding of the problem, its nature and roots and if we are able to work together in its resolution.
COSLA has been engaged in the development of this approach and we will work collaboratively with them and other partners as appropriate to ensure that the agenda is tackled proactively. Members of the National Group to Address Violence Against Women, all of whom represent organisations or sectors, have also contributed to the development of Safer Lives: Changed Lives.
The approach to tackling violence against women which we are developing in concert with partners is based on the following:
- A shared narrative: developing a shared understanding across the range of interests about what is meant by violence against women, its nature and its roots in gender inequality and men's abuse of power;
- An integrated approach: taking an integrated approach which fosters greater collaboration between providers and interests, embeds tackling violence against women across the range of relevant policy interests and demonstrates the links with key frameworks such as Equally Well, Achieving our Potential and Early Years Framework and relevant policy pillars such as Getting it right for every child and Violence Reduction;
- A collaborative local approach encouraging partnership working at a local level and supporting the development of local responses to tackling violence against women. Working in partnership with the third sector and public bodies and in particular to work collaboratively with local government and Community Planning Partnerships in the context of the Concordat.
And it sets out the importance of work in the following areas:
- Increasing the focus on prevention and reducing the levels of violence against women;
- Considering the best means to support those experiencing violence and abuse including those more marginalised women and children;
- Improving the data and mechanisms for measurement of progress.
This approach to tackling violence against women builds on the extensive work already underway across Scotland, is informed by the wealth of experience gained in the delivery of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland (2000), draws explicitly on the work of the Expert Group on Violence Against Women and consultation with Multi-Agency Partnerships across Scotland and is shaped by the contributions from key stakeholders in particular the National Group to Address Violence Against Women.
Shared Approach: Guiding Principles
- Violence against women is a violation of human rights;
- Violence against women takes many forms and responses should take account of the links between them;
- Promoting equality between men and women is a key element in tackling violence against women;
- Socialisation of boys and girls from an early age is important and should emphasise equality and respect;
- Perpetrators should be held to account and made to take responsibility for their actions;
- Prevention of and reduction in violence against women are the key objectives;
- Solutions are best achieved through partnerships and collaborative working.