Report

Part 1: Equally Safe Quality Standards – Results and Key Learning

1. Scottish society embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls

2. Women and girls thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and politically

3. Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people

4. Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls, and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response

Multi-agency partnership working

Background

Background

Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls was launched in 2014 and revised in 2016. The strategy sets out the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint vision for a strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and respected, and where women and girls live free from all forms of violence and abuse – and the attitudes that help perpetuate it.

To support this vision, Equally Safe sets out four key priorities:

1. Scottish society embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG);

2. Women and girls thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and political;

3. Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people; and

4. Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response.

At a local level, Violence Against Women Partnerships (VAWPs) are recognised as the strategic mechanism for progressing these four priorities in a multiagency and evidence-informed way.

The Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework was published by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Improvement Service in May 2018, in close collaboration with the National VAW Network and other stakeholders, to support VAWPs with this task.

The Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework

The Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework

The Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework responds to the expectations set out in Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls and in the Violence Against Women Partnership Guidance , in relation to effective performance management.

The Quality Standards aim to raise awareness of the types of services, policies and processes that are most effective in tackling VAWG and capture data on the extent to which they are currently being delivered across Scotland. The Performance Framework aims to measure the impact that these services, policies and processes are having on the lives of people and communities affected by VAWG.

Collectively, the two resources aim to support VAWPs to capture key performance data and facilitate a consistent approach to measuring and reporting on the progress being made to achieve the ambitions set out in Equally Safe at a local level.

This report highlights the key learning from the 28 VAWPs that provided Equally Safe Quality Standard and Performance Framework data returns for 2021-22.

Key Statistics from 2021-22

Priority 1

96% of local authority areas report that some level of engagement and communications takes place in the local community to increase people’s awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of VAWG, and the role they can play in tackling it.

Priority 3

93% of local authority areas report that interventions are in place to engage with women and children affected by VAWG who experience additional barriers as a result of race, sexuality, age or disability.

Priority 2

96% of local authority areas report that VAW Partnerships sometimes engage with some local equality groups to ensure they are aware of the VAWG agenda and understand the inequalities that underpin it.

Multi-Agency Working

93% of local authority areas report that the Partnership has a framework in place for measuring its performance and progress towards achieving its agreed outcomes.

Priority 4

82% of local authority areas report that measures are in place, such as specialist domestic abuse courts, to ensure women and children who experience domestic abuse receive an appropriate response from the criminal justice system.

Part 1: Equally Safe Quality Standards

– Results and Key Learning

Scottish society embraces equality

respect,

rejects all forms of violence against women and girls

1.

and mutual

and

Scottish society embraces

against women and girls

Overview of percentage of partnerships meeting and partly meeting the quality standards for Priority 1 in 2021-22:

• 89% of local authority areas across Scotland report meeting or partly meeting the Quality Standards for Equally Safe Priority 1.

• 68% of local authority areas report that the VAW Partnership collects/ analyses data to understand people’s attitudes in relation to VAWG.

• 96% of local authority areas report that the VAW Partnership has some processes in place to engage with primary and secondary schools across the local community to help ensure they deliver age-appropriate evidencebased interventions to raise children, teachers and parents’ understanding and awareness of gender-based violence, positive, healthy relationships and consent, as part of a whole school approach to tackling VAWG.

• 89% of local authority areas report that some youth work organisations across their local communities deliver interventions to raise young people’s understanding and awareness of VAWG and the importance of positive, healthy relationships.

• 100% of local authority areas report that there is guidance in place about the services available to support women and children affected by VAWG in the local community and how people can access these services.

• 82% of local authority areas report that their local VAW Partnership has processes in place to engage with colleges and universities across the local community and works with them to identify opportunities to partnership working in preventing gender-based violence on campuses.

1.

equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence

Examples of Good Practice

The following examples of good practice identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework provide a snapshot of work taking place in local authority areas across Scotland to progress Priority Area 1:

Argyll & Bute – Rights Respecting School Programme

The UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme has been launched in schools throughout Argyll & Bute. This works with schools to embed children’s rights in the schools’ ethos, raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and to increase understanding of children’s rights. This is a key aspect to children and young people being equally safe. Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh has become the first secondary school in Argyll & Bute to receive the gold accreditation in this programme.

Dumfries & Galloway – Sexual Violence Prevention Worker

A Sexual Violence Prevention Worker from Dumfries & Galloway Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Support Centre works in secondary schools, colleges and higher education establishments throughout Dumfries & Galloway. This role aims to encourage young people to have open discussions in an environment that is safe and encourages the development of positive attitudes, knowledge and skills whilst raising awareness about different forms of sexual violence, how to prevent them and how to support anyone affected by them.

South Ayrshire – Story Books for Nurseries

A resource pack of story books was given to every local authority nursery within South Ayrshire. These stories aim to break down issues surrounding gender roles and stereotypes. Additionally, family learning sessions were delivered to target groups using these resources.

West Lothian – The Safety of Women and Girls Consultation

West Lothian Council completed a consultation on the safety of women and girls in public places and spaces in October 2021, led by Community Safety. The findings from this consultation were used to inform the updated Community Safety Action Plan 2022-2025. As a result of this consultation, funding has been secured and discussions are currently underway to decide how best to spend this to make women and girls in West Lothian feel safe.

Western Isles – Directory of Services

The Western Isles is part of an innovative and exciting new three-way partnership with Orkney and Shetland which has resulted in 3 new posts being created and there is now a Co-ordinator on each island based within Women’s Aid. Through collaboration with other island colleagues, the coordinators have been able to share information, valuable ideas and research, and compare data to see where there may be gaps, as well as looking to the other members for solutions to overcome comparable difficulties. While gathering information for the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Data Return, it became apparent that the Western Isles lacked a widely available directory of public protection organisations. The co-ordinator therefore created a directory for the Western Isles in the form of a website. The website, which is now nearing completion, contains contact information for local and national public protection organisations and helplines offering support, advice and information. The site has a news section, calendar of events, training information and a members’ area for practitioner resources. It will also be used to regularly highlight campaigns (such as 16 Days) and the work of specific organisations, particularly those involved in domestic abuse and VAWG matters.

Key Learning & Potential Next Steps

• Impact from the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing as capacity issues are still impacting key aspects of VAWG work, such as community engagement, partnership working and data collection.

• Engagement with schools and colleges appears to have increased over the last 12 months, however some Partnerships felt that this needs to be more consistent as not all schools in a local authority will have the same opportunity for involvement. It was also noted that there needs to be more of an emphasis on prevention within schools.

• An increased focus on work with youth organisations is noted as an aim for many local authority areas as Partnerships felt this was not taking place, or they have not had the capacity to scope what work is happening locally.

• Some Partnerships highlighted that there are gaps in communications and service engagement with certain groups of the population. VAWPs noted they would like to see more work undertaken locally and nationally to overcome barriers and widen the reach of services to those groups who are not currently engaging with support.

• Although 100% of Partnerships indicated guidance is in place about the range of VAWG services available locally, it was indicated that sometimes not all partners have the capacity to update this information on a regular basis.

Women and

2.

girls thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and politically

2. Women and girls thrive as equal citizens:

Overview of percentage of partnerships meeting and partly meeting the quality standards for Priority 2 in 2021-22:

• 94% of local authority areas across Scotland report meeting or partly meeting the Quality Standards for Equally Safe Priority 2.

• 100% of local authority areas report that Equality Impact Assessments are undertaken when developing some new policies, processes and services at a local level in partnership with Equality Groups, however not all areas do this routinely.

• 96% of local authority areas report that Public Sector employers in their area publish a gender pay gap and an equal pay statements and use this information to develop equality outcomes on gender and employment.

• 100% of local authority areas report Public Sector workplace policies are gender-sensitive and recognise some of the barriers to women’s workplace equality, but not all barriers are addressed in every locality.

• 100% of local authority areas report that work is underway to ensure that workplace policies recognise that employees may be affected by VAWG and communicate/support clear paths for women experiencing this.

• 68% of local authority areas report that VAW Partnerships (and their member organisations) actively engage with Close the Gap’s ‘Equally Safe at Work’ pilot.

socially, culturally, economically and politically

Examples of Good Practice

The following examples of good practice identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework provide a snapshot of work taking place in local authority areas across Scotland to progress Priority Area 2:

Dundee – Integrated Impact Assessment

The Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) model used by Dundee has been re-developed over the past 12 months. This has been led by the Council’s Community Planning & Equality & Fairness Team, with the VAW Partnership contributing to this work through the VAW Partnership Equality Subgroup. Developments in this area include: a new IIA pre-screening tool to help Council Officers determine whether an IIA is needed or not; updated IIA guidance; a re-developed tool; and the development of a ‘new’ IIA workshop programme that has now been delivered to over 100 Council, Health & Social Care Partnership and Leisure & Culture staff.

East Ayrshire – Information for Refugees

For families entering East Ayrshire through the Refugee Programme, information on services related to VAWG has been developed and included as part of the information pack given to them on arrival. The Council’s Resettlement Team have been made aware of the impact that domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG can have on refugees and have been provided information on referral pathways to multiple services, should help be required.

Edinburgh – Revised Domestic Abuse Policy

The City of Edinburgh Council has revised its Domestic Abuse policy, ensuring that violence against women and girls is clearly recognised, outlining clear structures and pathways to support. This policy is complemented by a full suite of training to enable employees and line managers to appropriately identify victims and perpetrators and to take necessary actions to safeguard those at risk. Additionally, the Multi-Agency Domestic Abuse policy that applies to all services and organisations supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse in Edinburgh has also been revised. This policy is expected to be ratified by Edinburgh’s Policy and Sustainability Committee in early 2023, allowing for it to then come into effect.

North Ayrshire – Partnership Development Day

The North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership held a half-day development event in relation to VAWG for the subgroup Children and Families Affected by Substances. This was a multi-agency session looking at the impact of sexual exploitation and domestic abuse on children and families affected by substances. The pathways and partnership working in relation to alcohol and drugs services and services for women and children affected by domestic abuse were also considered.

Key Learning & Potential Next Steps

• Given the ongoing and emerging challenges posed by the pandemic and Cost of Living crisis, VAWPs highlighted the value in ensuring all partner agencies employment policies are regularly reviewed to ensure they identify and respond to the changing needs of women in their workforces.

• Similar to last year, Partnerships have acknowledged that Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are not routinely undertaken in all relevant contexts. This is recognised as an area for improvement, particularly for those areas where EIAs are undertaken independently by organisations as this could be an opportunity for Partnerships to provide more support.

• Increased engagement with local equality groups was noted as an ongoing priority for a number of local authority areas, with some VAWPs noting that they don’t currently have processes in place to engage with these groups on a regular basis. It was noted that the involvement of equality groups can greatly benefit the use of EIAs and therefore mechanisms to support this could be considered.

3. Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people

3. Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people

Overview of percentage of partnerships meeting and partly meeting the quality standards for Priority 3 in 2021-22:

• 94% of local authority areas across Scotland report meeting or partly meeting the Quality Standards for Equally Safe Priority 3.

• 96% of local authority areas report that a proportion of Public Sector staff who come into contact with members of the public have received basic training in how to identify and respond to women and children affected by VAWG in an appropriate way.

• 100% of local authority areas report that Routine Enquiry is regularly undertaken within some key priority settings such as maternity, mental health, substance misuse, A&E, community nursing and sexual health services.

• 93% of local authority areas report that regular Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) take place in their areas.

• 86% of local authority areas report that staff in child welfare have received some level of training in the Safe & Together model.

• 64% of local authority areas report that they are in the process of, or have already developed, a clear position statement that recognises commercial sexual exploitation as a form of VAWG.

Examples of Good Practice

The following examples of good practice identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework provide a snapshot of work taking place in local authority areas across Scotland to progress Priority Area 3:

Aberdeen City - Training

All public sector staff in Aberdeen City now have access to DAART training as this has been added to internal learning platforms. Over 100 staff have completed this training, and the Partnership is currently in the process of ensuring that this is a mandatory training course. Additionally, SafeLives has recently been commissioned to undertake a bespoke Train the Trainer programme with staff from housing, repairs, library and community learning services whose roles come into contact with people from the community on a daily basis, with 18 staff members having now been trained to deliver this training. The scope of this training is to be expanded to other colleagues and teams over the next year, where relevant.

East Renfrewshire – Wellbeing Group

A wellbeing group has been established by Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire & East Renfrewshire (WASLER) for women who have experienced domestic abuse. This group provides a safe space to explore and enhance women’s mental health and wellbeing. The group was formed in response to women expressing concerns that generic services may lack the required understanding of the complex and longstanding impacts of domestic abuse on mental health and wellbeing. It focuses on coping skills and developing new ways of dealing with problems, with activities including stress management, mindfulness, positive self-talk and complimentary therapies.

Moray – Specialist Advocacy Service

Moray Rape Crisis has developed a specialist advocacy service for survivors of sexual violence in Moray who are considering reporting to the police, or have already reported and are engaged in the justice process. Through this service, survivors are supported to report, to access forensic medical examination, and to navigate the justice process. In addition to this, in-court support is also provided.

North Lanarkshire - Housing

There are a range of high-quality housing options for women and children in North Lanarkshire, with homelessness prevented wherever possible. This is done through early intervention and prevention approaches, and provision is in place via the Council’s Common Housing Register to prioritise applicants affected by domestic abuse via protocol points to help ensure alternative options are available. North Lanarkshire led on the development and implementation of a national Housing Options Training Toolkit, which has a specific component on domestic abuse. Additionally, a new Housing Domestic Abuse Policy has been recently implemented to help further ensure a proactive and effective housing response to tackling domestic abuse

in North Lanarkshire. The Partnership continues to review the temporary accommodation portfolio to ensure it meets the needs of women and children, working with partners in North Lanarkshire as well as national partners, such as REVIVE Scotland, to identify appropriate housing and support solutions.

Orkney – Safe & Together Training

Orkney has delivered Safe & Together training throughout 2022, including both Core Training and Overview Training. The Core Training took place in person, with each day of training providing experiential classroom training focussed on foundational practice areas such as assessment, interviewing, documentation and case planning. The Safe & Together Overview Training is a two-day training course that was delivered online. This provided participants with an introduction to, and overview of, the Safe & Together model.

Key Learning & Potential Next Steps

• Some Partnerships highlighted that there is a gap in targeted interventions for women and children with protected characteristics within their local authority area. They identified a need to scope where these gaps are and determine how to progress in targeting relevant interventions.

• Many Partnerships reported that they have not yet developed a position statement recognising commercial sexual exploitation as a form of VAWG, but noted this as a priority action for the year ahead.

• Many VAWPs noted that local and national funding streams continue to be siloed within certain policy areas, with a number of Partnerships highlighting that they are not always involved in funding decisions that impact on women and children affected by VAWG. It was noted that a mechanism for Partnerships to feed into partners’ funding applications could assist in obtaining further funding for the agenda via alternative pathways.

• VAWPs highlighted ongoing barriers to the uptake of training, including capacity issues and cancellations. Many Partnership noted that a drive to encourage mandatory VAWG training could be beneficial, particularly as there are many different training options available that have a variety of accessibility options.

• Refuge accommodation continues to be a concern for many local authority areas, with demand ultimately outweighing capacity. In addition, a number of VAWPs highlighted that accessibility for women with additional needs is limited in their locality and identified a need to review the range of accommodation available to help ensure appropriate refuge is provided where possible.

4. Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls, and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response

4. Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls,

response

Overview of percentage of partnerships meeting and partly meeting the quality standards for Priority 4 in 2021-22:

• 81% of local authority areas across Scotland report meeting or partly meeting the Quality Standards for Equally Safe Priority 4.

• 93% of local authority areas report delivering some level of training for public sector staff who come into contact with members of the public, in addition to enabling them to identify and respond to perpetrators.

• 96% of local authority areas report that Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) groups are in place locally to support a multi-agency approach to be taken to identifying high risk perpetrators of domestic abuse and ensure they are held to account for their behaviours.

• 82% of local authority areas report that court-mandated programmes are in place at a local level that work with perpetrators of VAWG to hold them to account for, and support them to change, their behaviours.

• 54% of local authority areas report that non-court-mandated programmes are in place at a local level that work with perpetrators of VAWG to hold them to account for, and support them to changes, their behaviours.

and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective

Examples of Good Practice

The following examples of good practice identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework provide a snapshot of work taking place in local authority areas across Scotland to progress Priority Area 4:

Clackmannanshire – Caledonian System

Pilot

Clackmannanshire Council are currently in the second year of a national pilot that aims to deliver the Caledonian System as a non-court-mandated programme. The aim of this pilot is to deliver the same evidence-based programme, but at an earlier stage of intervention. This is delivered by Child Care staff with the support and guidance of Justice Services.

Fife – Multi-Agency Seminar

Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) colleagues supported the development of a multi-agency seminar Engaging Safely with Male Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse. This seminar is now included in the Fife VAW Partnership training programme and is available to all staff. Teams of priority have been targeted to ensure they have access to this training, including midwifery and health visiting staff.

North Ayrshire – Measurements of Risk and Behaviour Change

Caledonian Case Managers in North Ayrshire use a variety of accredited and standardised tools to measure risk and behaviour change of perpetrators of domestic abuse. These tools include psychometrics such as The Domestic Abuse Inventory, the Relationship Style Questionnaire and the Locus of Control. Additional tools, such as the Spousal Abuse Risk Assessment V3 and responsivity scores pre- and post-groupwork, are also used to determine any change in risk and behaviour.

West Dunbartonshire – The Women’s Safety & Support Service

West Dunbartonshire Council has developed a specialist VAWG service, The Women’s Safety & Support Service. The service provides a streamlined response for women within the justice system as part of the Justice Social Work Service. This service supports women experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence by providing a range of trauma-informed support. Support is person-centred and provided one-to-one and/or within a group work programme and ranges from risk assessment, safety planning, emotional and practical support, to information and advocacy support. Service user involvement in ongoing service development and working in partnership to develop and deliver a range of training is integral to wider practice improvements for supporting vulnerable survivors of abuse.

Key Learning & Potential Next Steps

• Some Partnerships felt that measures for women in the court system, such as specialist domestic abuse courts, are inconsistent and as a result, not all women and children receive an appropriate response from the justice system. It was suggested that these measures should be the responsibility of the courts rather than falling on specialist services.

• A number of local authority areas highlighted that they still do not have court-mandated programmes in place for perpetrators of domestic abuse. In line with the Scottish Government’s ambition for these interventions to be available in all local authority areas, a number of VAWPs highlighted the need to work with local justice partners to determine the demand for these interventions locally as well as the readiness of services to provide such programmes in a way that is appropriate for their geography.

• Some Partnerships highlighted that non-court mandated programmes other than Caledonian are being delivered in their locality, but noted that more research and evidence is required on the effectiveness of these programmes in changing perpetrators behaviours.

• A number of VAWPs highlighted that there are still delays in the introduction and delivery of training and programmes of engaging with perpetrators as a result of COVID-19. A number of VAWPs highlighted this as a future focus for their Partnerships in the year ahead.

5. Multi-agency partnership working

5. Multi-agency partnership working

Overview of percentage of partnerships meeting and partly meeting the quality standards for ‘Multi-agency partnership working’ in 2021-22:

• 89% of local authority areas across Scotland report meeting or partly meeting the Quality Standards for Multi-Agency Partnership Working.

• 100% of local authority areas report that the VAW Partnership brings together representatives from the key Public Sector and Third Sector organisations working to prevent and eradicate VAWG within the local area.

• 93% of local authority areas report that the Partnership has a strategic plan in place that outlines how the Partnership will implement Equally Safe at a local level.

• 43% of local authority areas report that the Partnership has undertaken a self-assessment in the last 3 years using the VAWP Self-Assessment Checklist.

• 96% of local authority areas report that the Partnership has clear strategic links with other relevant thematic partnerships/groups within the Community Planning Partnership who are working towards shared outcomes.

Examples of Good Practice

The following examples of good practice identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework provide a snapshot of work taking place in local authority areas across Scotland to progress multi-agency partnership working:

Angus – Data and Self-Evaluation Subgroup

As part of a Performance Framework agreed by the Angus VAW Partnership, a new Data and Self-Evaluation Subgroup has been established. The purpose of this subgroup is to oversee the collection and analysis of data and performance information in Angus. The Partnership also has an analyst to support with this work.

Highland – Strategic Links

The Highland VAW Partnership partners have daily working relationships across all relevant thematic partnerships and groups. A new independent Chair links with other chairs of Public Protection Committees, as well as the Highland Chief Officers group at a strategic level. Additionally, the Highland VAW Partnership Coordinator has recurring meetings throughout the year with the other Public Protection Committee coordinators to promote communications and cross-working.

Renfrewshire – Strategy Update

A short-life working group has been convened to lead on the development of a new strategy for the Renfrewshire VAW Partnership as it was identified that the current strategy expires at the end of 2022. Due to the timely organisation of the working group, the aim is to have the new strategy finalised by the end of 2022 to coincide with the expiration of the previous strategy. This refresh also aims to include the voice of young people to support their needs, and this will be done through the Young and Equally Safe in Renfrewshire project.

Scottish Borders – Partnership Refresh

The Scottish Borders have recently moved to a single VAW Partnership in response to a need to improve attendance from partners and ensure a stronger focus as a delivery group of the Public Protection Committee. This allows for a reduction in the number of people representing the VAW Partnership across various committees and partnership. In line with this single VAW Partnership, a newly refreshed Terms of Reference has been developed for strategic and operational bodies.

Key Learning & Potential Next Steps

• A number of VAW Partnerships reported they had not had the capacity to undertake a self-assessment within the last 3 years. In recognition of the ongoing pressures that third sector and public sector partners continue to face, there may be benefits in VAW Partnerships conducting a selfassessment over the next year to understand where the Partnership is post-pandemic and to explore opportunities to make best use of all available resources when working collectively to respond to the heightened risks that women, children and young people continue to face.

• A number of VAW Partnerships report having strong strategic links with other relevant Partnerships, including Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Community Justice Partnerships and Child Protection Committees. However, several areas noted that there may be benefits in strengthening reporting mechanisms between different strategic Partnerships to help support joined-up working towards shared outcomes.

• The vast majority of VAW Partnership report having strong representation on their partnerships from key Public Sector and Third Sector organisations. The importance of ensuring these representatives have sufficient authority to make decisions and progress actions on behalf of their organisations was highlighted as being important by a number of VAWPs, with some areas also noting gaps in representation from particular organisations, such as the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal.

• Some Partnerships have recently recruited a designated VAWG lead and have highlighted the benefit of this role in coordinating work that previously took more time to progress without a lead. Others that do not currently have a VAWG lead noted that the VAWP can only be a small part of their coordinators remit which can impact the amount of work that can be undertaken.

Collaboration Between Local Authorities

Collaboration Between Local Authorities

In 2021-22, there were examples of collaboration across different local authority areas in addition to cross-partnership working within local authorities. The following are examples of good practice between local authority areas identified through the Equally Safe Quality Standards and Performance Framework to provide a snapshot of work taking place between local authority areas across Scotland:

Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross – Violence Against Deaf Women Project

The Deaf Links Violence Against Deaf Women Project (VADWP) has been established in partnership with Angus, Dundee and Perthshire Women’s Aids. This project was created as it became apparent there was a gap in accessible service provision for deaf women who had experienced any form of VAWG. The VADWP provides advocacy for deaf women, as well as access to improvement and upskilling on British Sign Language (BSL)/Deaf culture for Women’s Aid staff. This course is also being offered to wider statutory and third sector organisations to assist them in understanding how to make their service more friendly and accessible to deaf women. There is currently work ongoing to develop content and resources to begin a series of workshops and information sessions in BSL for deaf women to increase awareness and understanding around VAWG. The project has also produced and posted BSL videos on social media to raise awareness on a variety of VAWG topics.

Clackmannanshire & Stirling – Annual Multi-Agency Training Calendar

The Clackmannanshire and Stirling Public Protection Committee Learning and Development Subgroup publishes an annual multi-agency public protection training calendar. Training noted in this that is relevant to the VAW Partnership includes ‘Responding to the Disclosure of Rape and Sexual Assault’, ‘Safe & Together Core Practice’ and ‘MARAC’.

Edinburgh, Forth Valley & Moray – New Therapeutic

Support Workers

Edinburgh, Forth Valley and Moray Rape Crisis services are working in partnership to pilot a new service for survivors with learning disabilities and survivors with a first language other than English. Through this pilot, a new Therapeutic Support Worker for Learning Disabilities has been appointed, as well as a Polish-speaking Therapeutic Support Worker. Furthermore, survivors will be able to access remote support in both Arabic and Mandarin via a pool of additional first language support workers located in Edinburgh and Forth Valley This pilot is due to run until 31st March 2023.

Glasgow & Highland – Commercial Sexual Exploitation Project

A new project focussed on Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is underway in partnership with Highland’s VAW Partnership and Glasgow’s Women’s Support Project. This aims to provide training for frontline service providers on recognising and appropriately responding and supporting CSE workers they may have contact with. There will also be an awareness raising element to this aimed at decision-makers.

Orkney, Shetland & Western Isles – Inter Islands Talk PANTS! Campaign

The Inter Islands Talk PANTS! Campaign was launched by the NSPCC and the Islands’ Protection Committees to train carers and professionals in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to communicate important messages to parents and children that will help prevent sexual abuse. The NSPCC’s Talk PANTS! resources give parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children about sexual abuse. With the help of a colourful animated character, a friendly dinosaur called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them and to recognise when something is not okay, and how to tell someone if they are upset or worried. Various events have taken place across the Islands in relation to the campaign, and resources are now available in Scottish Gaelic, British Sign Language and Makaton. Almost 300 carers and professionals have been trained since the campaign launched within the last year.

Orkney, Shetland & Western Isles | Inter Islands T

Campaigns

Campaigns

There have been a number of campaigns taking place across Scotland that aim to raise awareness of topics related to VAWG. The following are examples of campaigns that took place in local authority areas throughout 2021-22:

Dundee – 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

In 2021, Dundee saw a huge community response to the 16 Days campaign. The VAW Partnership promoted and got involved in events organised by the multi-agency workforce as well as the public. Examples of those that got involved include the creative community, young people across schools and higher education, local businesses, as well as partners such as Police Scotland, specialist women’s organisations and housing.

North Ayrshire – Ask for Angela

The Ask for Angela campaign launched in North Ayrshire in November 2021. This campaign aims to help those who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened in venues such as clubs and bars to discreetly ask for help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. The campaign was promoted through the use of a short online film, in addition to promotional posters/flyers in all Licenced premises throughout North Ayrshire and Arran. Staff training guidance was also delivered to staff in these premises.

South Ayrshire – International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day (8th March), South Ayrshire VAW Partnership organised a Reclaim the Night march to raise awareness of women’s safety issues. The march had over 300 people take part and aimed to highlight that women should be able to walk the street at night without the fear of facing violence, while honouring those women who have lost their lives to male violence. The March took place in Ayr, with events also taking place in Kilmarnock and Irvine.

South

Lanarkshire

– Links with Higher Education

Higher Education institutions across South Lanarkshire have active links with Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire (WASLER) to ensure the VAW Partnership has a presence at relevant events, such as Freshers’ Week. Regular planning meetings are held to scope potential events that WASLER could be involved in. In addition to this, sessions are held at these higher education settings, with 3 sessions being delivered across 3 days at South Lanarkshire College. Support is also provided for these institutions in relation to campaigns such as 16 Days and International Women’s Day.

West Dunbartonshire – VAWG Service Provision Participation Campaign

West Dunbartonshire HSCP CEDAR carried out a local authority wide community consultation with the purpose of capturing women’s experiences of domestic abuse during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and their access points for specialist domestic abuse service support and information. The survey was open from 25th November 2021, to mark the start of the international 16 days of Action for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, and closed 1st February 2022. The survey was distributed through West Dunbartonshire Council corporate social media channels, and a weblink to the survey was distributed to West Dunbartonshire Council VAWG partners with the request to circulate around each service networks. Posters were also produced and distributed through Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven. The total number of respondents who completed the questionnaire was 88. This consultation will be used to help inform the strategic direction of VAWG in line with the National Equally Safe Strategy for Scotland Quality Assurance Standards.

North Ayrshire | Ask for Angela Campaign