Scottish Government

Foreword

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government and COSLA published Safer Lives: Changed Lives, a shared approach to tackling violence against women in Scotland. This established the basis for a common purpose, nationally and locally, in addressing violence against women. It provided a definition, guiding principles and a suggested focus for work.

Experience and research shows that partnership working is essential for providing a comprehensive and coordinated response to violence against women across the four Ps: prevention, protection, provision and participation. It is also consistent with the Concordat and the intention of local and national government to work together on the basis of shared outcomes.

This document gives practical information and guidance to the 32 multi-agency partnerships ( MAPs) in Scotland which are working on violence against women issues. It aims to support all MAPs to work consistently with the government's strategic direction and to develop effective local strategies and activities to tackle all forms of violence against women. It is based on the first-hand experience of MAPs and includes helpful case study examples.

Tackling violence against women is a ministerial priority for the Scottish Government as a "specific duty" of the Gender Equality Duty in Scotland. Given that violence against women is rooted in gender inequality, achieving equality between men and women is fundamental to preventing and eliminating it. Addressing violence against women, while a moral imperative in its own right, is an indicator for the Scottish Government and public authorities, working individually and in partnership, for meeting their gender duty, and MAPs have an important role to play in this.

We would like to thank MAPs and the members of the National Group to Address Violence Against Women for their help in preparing this guidance.