Equally Safe is Scotland's strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.
'There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.'
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon
Vision
- A strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and respected, and where women and girls live free from all forms of violence and abuse – and the attitudes that help perpetuate it
Aim of Equally Safe
- To work collaboratively with key partners in the public, private and third sectors to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls
Priorities
- Scottish society embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls
- Women and girls thrive as equal citizens – socially, culturally, economically and politically
- Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people
- Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls, and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response
Objectives
- Positive gender roles are promoted
- Women and girls are safe, respected and equal in our communities
- People enjoy healthy, positive relationships and children develop an understanding of safe, healthy, and positive relationships from an early age
- Individuals and communities recognise and challenge violent and abusive behaviour
- Women and men have equal access to power and resources
- Justice responses are robust, swift, consistent and coordinated
- Women, children and young people access relevant, effective and integrated services
- Men who carry out violence against women and girls are identified early and held to account by the justice system
- Service providers competently identify violence against women and girls, and respond effectively to women, children and young people affected
- Men who carry out violence against women and girls change their behaviour, and are supported to do so
- Women, children and young people's voices are heard and their rights respected
- Relevant links are made between the experience of women,children and young people in the criminal and civil justice systems
National Outcomes
- We live our lives free from crime, disorder and danger
- We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society
- We have strong resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others
- Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed
- We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk
- Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to people's needs
- We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people
- We live longer healthier lives
