The Scottish Government

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SAFER LIVES: CHANGED LIVES FOREWORD

Violence against women has a high cost - it costs lives, literally; it blights lives and restricts opportunity. It perpetuates inequality and prevents the achievement of potential. It affects all of us in Scotland, not only the women and children who directly experience it or those that fear it, but also their families, communities and our economy. It must be eradicated if we are to have the Scotland to which we aspire.

In order to do this there needs to be a shared understanding, approach and commitment to tackling violence against women among all partners. We hope this document will assist those working to this end by providing a definition, setting out our guiding principles and suggesting a focus for the work over the coming period. Through the Concordat, local and national Government in Scotland have a new relationship, based on the mutual pursuit of shared outcomes. This approach to violence against women exemplifies that relationship. We are grateful too for the support of other key partners such as the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and the Crown Office/Procurator Fiscal Service.

We are clear that violence against women is a consequence of continuing inequality between men and women, and it is also a barrier to achieving equality. Our approach is set firmly within the context of the Gender Equality Duty, which expects all public bodies to have due regard to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality between men and women. Tackling violence against women is therefore essential in meeting the Gender Equality Duty.

For many decades Scotland has been at the forefront of work to tackle gender based violence, and we have received international recognition for our work. The protection of women and children from all forms of violence is one of our highest priorities and both the Scottish Government and local authorities have committed significant resources to ensure we reap the benefit of the expertise, commitment and passion of those taking this fight forward across Scotland.

We would especially like to thank the National Group to Address Violence Against Women for their continuing work to ensure that this agenda is given the priority and focus it deserves. And of course we also acknowledge the vital role of the voluntary sector, which has traditionally driven this agenda, even in times when others did not fully appreciate the nature and extent of these terrible crimes and experiences. There is no doubt we would not be in the position we are in Scotland without their tireless, and often thankless, work over the past three decades.

Partnership working has brought us considerable success in recent years. We must continue to move forward and to take whatever action is necessary to achieve our ultimate aim; to create a Scotland in which violence against women no longer exists.

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