Blueprint hopes to end violence against women and girls

A review of the justice system is to be carried out as part of an ambitious new blueprint aimed at ending all violence against women and girls.

The Scottish Government unveiled the new Equally Safe strategy, which is the first of its kind in Scotland and sets out to tackle all forms of violence suffered by females.

As part of that there will be a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system in Scotland, which will look at the laws on sexual offences and domestic abuse to see if the current legislation reflects the true experience of victims of long-term abuse, or if new criminal offences need to be created.

The strategy has been developed by the Scottish Government and the local authority group Cosla, together with others including Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland and Police Scotland.

It aims to tackle a ll forms of violence against females, including domestic abuse, rape, sexual harassment and stalking.

It also deals with the sexual exploitation of women in human trafficking and prostitution, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

It was published as new figures showed that 6% of adults have been a victim of some form of stalking or harassment in the last year.

The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey also found 4% of women had suffered at least one incident of serious sexual abuse since they were 16, compared to 1% of men.

While 3% of both men and women said they had been abused by their partner in some way in the last 12 months, 17% of women have been the victim of domestic abuse since the age of 16, compared to 10% of men.

The new strategy highlights the need for all parts of government and society to play a role in tackling violence against women.

Equalities minister Shona Robison said: “Undoubtedly this is an ambitious strategy but to aspire to anything less is unacceptable.

“No woman or girl in our society should be subject to violence or abuse of any kind whether physical or non-physical.

” It is our plan to eradicate violence against women and work to create a strong and flourishing Scotland where everyone can feel equally safe and respected.

“There are, however, no quick fixes to this deep-rooted problem. We need significant social, cultural and attitudinal change over the long-term, change that calls for sustained commitment from a wide range of partners as well as individuals and communities.”

Cosla community wellbeing spokesman councillor Harry McGuigan said: “There is no excuse for violence against women and girls, and all those people and organisations which can, should do all that is possible to prevent and eradicate it. But no one partner has the ability to do this alone.

“Substantive and substantial impacts will only be achieved if we combine our efforts to change cultures, behaviour, prevention and crisis support.

“This strategy provides the leadership and strategic direction for this to happen and local government are fully committed to the programme of work which will sit behind it.”

While the strategy recognises that men and boys can also experience violence, it aims to highlight how being female in itself can lead to discrimination and disadvantage.

It sets four key priorities, calling for a society which ” embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls” where women and girls can ” thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and politically”.

It also sets out that actions to address violence against females should be ” early and effective”, and aimed at preventing violence where possible and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women and girls.

The strategy also stresses that men should ” desist from all forms of violence against women and girls”, and makes clear that those who commit such offences should receive a “robust and effective response”.

Scotland’s top police officer, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, said: “Police Scotland is committed to impacting on all forms of violence across Scotland, and particularly in respect of violence against women and girls.”

He added that the new strategy “provides the cornerstone for a national response” to the problem and added: “I look forward to working with the Scottish Government and our partners to ensure the successful implementation of the priorities and key objectives outlined within it.”

Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is delighted to support this national strategy.

“It emphasises the ongoing commitment that Scotland has to tackling violence against women and girls.

“The strategy highlights the need for all partners to continue the modernisation drive in the way we tackle domestic abuse cases.

“We particularly welcome the commitment to a root-and-branch review of how the criminal justice system deals with domestic abuse, including plans to monitor our effectiveness and the level of reoffending.

“Prosecutors already work closely with the police and other agencies which offer support to victims to ensure that our approach to these appalling crimes is the right one.

” The COPFS had made tacking domestic abuse a priority and last year I appointed a specialist prosecutor in this area to ensure that we have the expertise in bringing perpetrators to justice and offer the necessary support to victims.”

Scottish Women’s Aid manager Lily Greenan said: “Violence against women and girls affects everyone living in Scotland today.

“The publication of Equally Safe is a significant step towards addressing and preventing that violence.

“Scottish Women’s Aid welcomes the publication of this strategy and looks forward to working with all of our partners to take the strategy forward.”