New strategy to tackle violence against women

An action plan to combat violence against women is expected to be rolled out across Glasgow this summer.

Over the last five years sexual abuse figures have more than doubled in some areas of Glasgow.

In the city centre the number of rapes and sexual assaults recorded by police rose by 71 per cent in 2018 and further 43 per cent in 2019 so far.

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Through working with the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership (GVAWP) since 2017, the City Council has carried out an assessment on gender-based violence to form a strategy to combat the issue.

Chaired by councillors Jen Layden and Jim Coleman, the GVAWP brings together key organisations who are concerned with tackling all forms of violence.

The organisation hopes to reduce domestic abuse, rape and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, child sexual abuse, harmful cultural practices and commercial sexual exploitation throughout Glasgow.

This August the local authority’s approach to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation will be made available to those living, learning and working across the city.

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A draft plan is expected to be presented to the GVAWP before the end of the month with an opportunity for wider consultation. It will then be made available to the public.

Once the plans are introduced, the GVAWP will continue to deliver school-based activity that will raise awareness of gender inequality, abuse and its impact on teenagers’ relationships.

Since the beginning of the year, third year pupils at 26 secondary schools and primary 6 and 7s across 49 different primary schools have taken part in a programme to help them identify signs of domestic abuse.

It is hoped these workshops will raise awareness and inform pupils what they should do if they are a witness or a victim of violence.

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The council will continue to work to deliver a programme of workshops across the city to increase the profile and develop the membership of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) – a meeting point where high-risk cases are discussed.

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