Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership

The Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership is a city-wide multi-agency partnership concerned with preventing and eradicating all form of violence against women. The GVAWP has a role in supporting the delivery of Equally Safe, the Scottish Governments strategy to tackle violence against women and girls in Glasgow.

Leadership of the GVAWP comes from Councillor Jen Layden and membership consists of representatives from Glasgow City Council VAW Services; Police Scotland; Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership; GCC Education Services; GCC Community Empowerment; Community Justice; Crown Office Procurator Fiscal; Wheatley Group; Scottish Fire & Rescue; Standing Group on Violence Against Women and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde; Glasgow Life and Department of Work & Pensions.

GVAWP understands violence against women because of the social inequalities which exist between men and women. It recognises that violence against women, children and young people can take many forms and that some women, children and young people may experience different and/or multiple forms of male violence over their lifetime. The GVAWP supports the following definition of violence against women:

Violence against women encompasses but is not limited to the following:

"Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, within the general community, or in institutions including: domestic abuse; rape; sexual assault; stalking and sexual harassment and intimidation at work and in the public sphere; commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution, trafficking and pornography; child sexual abuse and adult survivors of child sexual abuse; dowry related violence; female genital mutilation; forced and child marriages and 'so called honour crimes."

16 Days of Action - 25 November to 10 December 2021

16 Days is a global call to action campaign to galvanise efforts by advocates worldwide in engaging, mobilising and scaling up our efforts to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Between 25 November and 10 December 2021 organisations worldwide raise awareness of issues relating to violence against women.

In Glasgow we understand violence against women to include:

• Domestic abuse
• Rape and sexual violence
• Stalking and harassment
• Forced and child marriage
• Adult survivors of child sexual abuse
• FGM
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation - including prostitution; trafficking; pornography; online

Delivering support in Glasgow has never been more important. We know that for those living with any of these forms of abuse this is even more isolating. Glasgow like much of west central Scotland is in Tier 4 but even during this lockdown our front line services are still providing support.

It is so important that women, children and young people whose day to day lives are affected by any form to know that they are not alone, help and support available. 

Our aim is to promote that whether you live, work or visit Glasgow, it is a city that has zero tolerance for violence against women.

Where to get help?

If you are in immediate danger please dial 999.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse there are organisations in your area that can help. Please find the links to these below:

• Glasgow City Council - Where to get help

• South Lanarkshire Gender-Based Violence Partnership

• North Lanarkshire Council

• West Dunbartonshire - Domestic abuse help for Women

• East Dunbartonshire Council - Domestic abuse

• South Ayrshire Council - Violence Against Women

• South Ayrshire Council - Where to get help

• Inverclyde Council - Violence Against Women

• East Renfrewshire - Domestic Violence 

• Renfrewshire - Domestic abuse

• Falkirk 

The Scottish Women's Aid website gives information and advice to woman and men on how to stay safe. It also provides contact details for Woman's Aid organisations across Scotland.

There are some apps that you can download to your phone to help keep you safe these include:

Hollie Guard: This turns your smartphone into an advanced personal safety device at the touch of a button. If you are in immediate danger a simple shake activate Hollie Guard, it includes your location, along with any audio or video evidence is sent to your emergency contact. A second shake sends out a high pitched alarm and the flash starts to strobe for maximum effect. This is app is free.

Bright Sky: This app is free to download. It provides support and information for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or someone concerned about someone they know living with domestic abuse. This app can be used by individuals, practitioners, employers or for anyone looking for information on domestic abuse, it includes information on safety planning, stalking and harassment and sexual consent. The Bright Sky app appears like a weather app on your phone.

Follow It App: A free to download app. Provides a simple and safe way to record incidents of stalking. It is designed to help victim-survivors of stalking to record what is happening to them. This can  be used as evidence to report your experiences to Police Scotland.