Supporting Victims of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence, this is when violence is directed against someone on the basis of their gender.

'Violence against women' and 'gender- based violence' are often used interchangeably as most gender-based violence is inflicted by men on women and girls. It is important though to acknowledge that most men do not commit acts of gender- based violence and that they too can be victims.

We recognise that gender-based violence is a significant community safety and wellbeing issue, affecting people from a wide range of diverse backgrounds.

We understand that violence against women happens because of the inequalities that exist between men and women. We recognise that this abuse can take many different forms and can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial and can happen over the lifetime of any victim. The following are included in our understanding of what is violence against women and girls: domestic abuse; sexual assault; stalking and harassment and intimidation at work and in public settings; commercial sexual exploitation, this includes but is not limited to prostitution, stripping/pole or lap dancing, pornography, trafficking etc; child sexual abuse and adult survivors of child sexual abuse; harmful cultural practices such as forced and child marriage, female genital mutilation, 'so called' honour crimes and dowry related violence.

The Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership

The Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership (GVAWP) is a multi-agency strategic partnership bringing together all key partners that have a role in tackling violence against women, including Police Scotland, the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, Wheatley Group, Scottish Fire and Rescue, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and front line women's organisations.

The GVAWP has responsibility for supporting GCC to deliver the right services and have the right policy approaches in place to maximise the safety and wellbeing of women and girls in the city in line with Scottish Government Strategy Equally Safe.

Our dedicated Violence against Women Team is responsible for the development and delivery of the city-wide strategic plan to prevent and eradicate violence against women in all of its forms. The team also supports the delivery of:

• 16 Days of Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women: a global awareness-raising campaign that aims to raise awareness of the impact of violence against women
• Multi-Agency Workshops: multi-agency, half-day awareness workshops on violence against women that run throughout the year.
• Prevention drama programme in primary and secondary schools in Glasgow
• Specific programme of training targeting youth work organisations across the city

To read more about our Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance, our Specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service ASSIST and our Routes Out of Prostitution service, click on the links in the navigation menu above.