Website brings together key agencies in Glasgow
Glasgow has a long history of work to address gender-based violence both within the voluntary sector and within pockets of the statutory sector. Within this website, the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership has brought together key agencies that have a role in responding to women and their children, who have experienced male violence.
It is important for us, as workers, to acknowledge links between different forms of violence and to be aware of the continuum of violence against women and children. We must also acknowledge the importance of understanding links between violence against women and child protection.
In the main areas of recorded violence, (domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, sexual violence against children, including incest) and in recent research into the extent of violence, we find that overwhelmingly it is women who suffer violence and overwhelmingly it is men who behave violently. Acknowledging and responding to the gender issues does not mean dismissing or minimising other areas of violence, such as female to male violence, female to female violence, violence within same sex relationships, violence against children, disabled people or elderly people. These issues are also important and deserving of attention. However, any work on violence against women needs to clearly acknowledge gender issues in violence, in order to be able to effectively address the problem.
The Partnership recognises that any policy or strategy to address violence against women needs to acknowledge the gender aspect of this violence - which on the whole it is done by men to women. So far, any recognition of the fact that men are responsible for most of the violence is missing from most agencies’ strategic documents.
The Partnership are aware of shortfalls in current services, and in particular the need for a better co-ordination and consistency of services, so that no matter where a woman lives in the city, or which agency she approachs for help, every woman will have the same chance of receiving the support she needs. We must work together to improve services for women and children who have experienced, or are experiencing violence from men.
The goal of the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership is that women in Glasgow who are affected by male violence receive quality services that are appropriate to their needs. By appropriate we mean that each according to their need. This means that women should receive a quality service whether they are black or white, young or old, disabled or without a disability, poor or wealthy, because male violence affects us all.
Back to top
FAQ section coming soon
