This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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The scourge of domestic abuse
13/06/2002
"They can catch you for not having a TV licence, but
they can't catch you for doing this to another human being.
My mum has no life."
This quote, from a young person living in a refuge in
South Ayrshire, was one of the examples used at a
conference in Edinburgh today of how the scourge of
domestic abuse can blight young lives.
At the conference, hosted by the Executive's Prevention
Working Group, pupils from Carrick Academy in Ayr and James
Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh presented powerful
messages about domestic abuse using artwork and statements
from children in refuges.
Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran, who chairs the
National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland,
said:
"Prevention work in schools is one of the most important
ways we have to influence the attitudes and behaviour of
future generations. Getting over to young people that
relationships should be based on equality and respect will
have a significant impact on how they respond to
partners.
"The Prevention Working Group which is hosting today's
event is developing a National Prevention Strategy. This
will cover public awareness raising, education,
legislation, training strategies, services for women,
children and young people, work with men who use violence
and strategies for the workplace.
"The Prevention Working Group has commissioned a paper
from
Learning &
Teaching Scotland,
'With all Due Respect,' as their contribution to
the National Debate on Education.
"Although other partners will have their part to play,
there is no getting away from the important role that
schools have in educating children about domestic abuse and
how to prevent it.
"All children should have a safe home and young people
should grow up expecting to have relationships in which
abuse does not feature.
"The Executive will continue to drive this work forward,
improving services, challenging and changing attitudes. We
want to see a Scotland where no child has to see or hear
their mother being abused, where no woman is beaten,
humiliated or raped by her partner and where no man thinks
that he has the right to abuse his partner."