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1. INTRODUCTION
We want a successful Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the nation's wellbeing and economic prosperity. We expect our communities to be strong, resilient and safe places, offering improved life chances for all and a better quality of life. We know however that violence is a major issue in Scotland and that it has significant impact on the wellbeing and potential of those affected. It also has cost implications for the economy and public purse. We are clear therefore that to improve outcomes for people in Scotland we need to take action to prevent and reduce the impact of violence on victims, their families and their communities.
Violence is unacceptable and we recognise that strong action needs to be taken to address its many forms. To this end we have developed a coherent programme of violence reduction which is being woven into policy developments across Government. To be sure of successful solutions and interventions, however, we need to fully understand the causes of violence and the ways in which it impacts on different groups of people. The evidence tells us that men's and women's experience of violence is different.
While male on male violence is the most common form of general public violence, there are a number of crimes, acts of violence and abusive behaviours that are perpetrated mostly by men and affect women and children disproportionately. Included in these are domestic abuse, rape and honour crimes all of which have their roots in the inequality between men and women in society. We refer to the continuum of these forms of gender-based violence as violence against women, the prevalence of which is extremely high in Scotland and rightly of major concern. It needs to be targeted specifically and demands a dedicated response which recognises the difference between this and other forms of violence. Most perpetrators and victims of other forms of violence, for example, do not share a home and are not linked together in a variety of ways including through a relationship or having children together.
The signing by the First Minister of the Women's Coalition Statement of Intent in December 2007 committed the Scottish Government to continuing to work with others to address violence against women in all its aspects, and to adopting a broad definition of violence against women which makes the links between domestic abuse, rape and commercial sexual exploitation.
The way in which agencies respond to violence against women has changed remarkably over recent years. We acknowledge the significant advancements made in challenging perpetrators and providing appropriate services to meet the needs of victims. We are fully committed to working with partners to further improve and engage around this agenda.
Violence against women is not only a consequence of gender inequality, it also perpetuates it. Tackling violence against women is therefore a prerequisite to reducing inequality between women and men in Scotland.
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