Scotland’s Strategy to Address
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Who is the strategy for?
Our strategy is for everyone with a part to play in tackling violence against women
and girls: the Scottish Government, Local Authorities, voluntary sector organisations,
NHS Scotland, Police Scotland, community planning partnerships, those working in
the civil and criminal justice systems, social work, housing, trade unions, employer
bodies, the business sector and further, higher and school education professionals.
2.
How is the strategy being developed?
The strategy is being developed jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA and
in collaboration with our partners across the public and third sectors. In order to
ensure that consultation and engagement on the strategy is as effective and
meaningful as possible we are:

Inviting and providing support for stakeholders who deliver frontline services
to host discussion groups about the strategy with women who use their
services as a result of having experienced violence;

Meeting with key stakeholders including Police Scotland, Education Scotland,
the Scottish Trades Union Congress and third sector organisations to discuss
their commitments to tackling violence against women and girls which will be
included within the strategy;

Circulating an outline structure of the strategy and discussion questions to all
partners for wider dissemination to their own networks. The outline structure
and discussion questions are also publicly available and provide a means and
opportunity for all those not directly involved in the discussion groups or
meetings to contribute their views on the strategy.
3.
Will there be a formal public consultation on the strategy?
No. We have taken a decision to move away from a formal public consultation
process because:

We believe that our approach will allow us to reach more women who have
experienced violence or abuse and who have come into contact with services
and agencies as a result of their experience;

It reflects our intention that the strategy is developed through meaningful
engagement and collaboration with frontline agencies and services.
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However any individual who is not directly involved in the discussion groups or
meetings is welcome to contribute their views on the outline structure and contents
of the strategy and in response to the discussion questions which have been made
publicly available.
4.
Who should I send my response to?
Views and responses on the outline structure and contents of the strategy and to the
discussion questions can be sent to either:
VAWT@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Or
Nicole Ronald
Scottish Government
Business Support Unit
Equality, Human Rights and Third Sector Division
3H-South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Responses are being sought until Friday 28 February.
5.
How will I find out how my comments have been used?
All of the comments made by respondents will be analysed and used to compile a
summary report. No comments will be attributed to any individual.
6.
What is the timescale for this process?
The deadline for views and responses to the outline structure and contents of the
strategy and to the discussion questions are being sought until Friday 28 February.
Meetings and discussion groups with stakeholders will take place over the course of
January and February. This will allow a period for analysis and drafting before the
strategy is published in Summer 2014.
7.
Where is this new strategy embedded in Scottish Government?
The strategy is being produced jointly with COSLA. Within the Scottish Government,
the strategy’s development is being led by the Violence Against Women team, based
in Equality, Human Rights and Third Sector Division. However because VAWG is a
cross-cutting issue, teams across the Scottish Government are involved in
developing the strategy. They will also ensure that it is effectively implemented. Key
areas involved include: Justice, Health, Welfare Reform, Education and Housing.
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8.
Will the strategy focus mainly on domestic abuse?
No. The strategy will cover all forms of VAWG. This includes but is not limited to:
commercial sexual exploitation; female genital mutilation; forced marriage; rape and
sexual assault, as well as domestic abuse.
9.
Will it focus on any particular areas i.e. prevention?
This strategy is not only about providing the best possible service to those surviving
violence, but is also about making sure that we put into place measures which aim to
prevent VAWG from occurring in the first place. There will therefore be a strong
focus on preventing VAWG throughout the strategy.
10.
What is happening with the gendered analysis?
Our work to tackle VAWG will continue to be based on the gendered analysis. The
Scottish Government’s definition of VAWG will also remain the same.
11.
Will the strategy cover violence against men?
No. Our strategy will be focussed on violence against women and girls. This reflects
the Scottish Government’s belief that the range of violence defined as ‘violence
against women and girls’ is a cause and consequence of gender inequality in our
society. However this does not minimise the seriousness with which the Scottish
Government views violence committed against men and we recognise that men can
also be the victims of violent behaviour such as domestic abuse, rape, and sexual
assault.
12.
What does this mean for funding within this sector?
Funding has already been allocated for the period of 2012-15. Funding after this
period will be determined by the next spending review.
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