Violence against women and girls (VAWG)

Our response to the findings of a public consultation seeking views on how best to challenge men’s demand for prostitution in Scotland, reducing the harms associated with prostitution and supporting women involved to exit.

Analysis of responses to a public consultation seeking views on how best to challenge men’s demand for prostitution in Scotland, reducing the harms associated with prostitution and supporting women involved to exit.

This interim evaluation report presents learning from a process evaluation of the National Trauma Programme local delivery trials.

A strategy to improve support for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) living in Scotland.

This trauma-informed practice toolkit has been developed as part of the National Trauma Training Programme, to support all sectors of the workforce, in planning and developing trauma informed services.

The landmark Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 20 January 2021. This consultation seeks views on the appropriate retention period for evidence collected in the course of self-referral forensic medical services.

We would like to hear your views about evidence collected by forensic medical services, this is a special type of medical examination for people who have experienced rape or sexual assault.

Easy read version of the Scottish Government’s response to the NACWG’s second report on its work in 2019 on the topic of ‘Policy Coherence - how are policies made and do policies work against each other’, which was published on 22 January 2020.

Scottish Government's Response to the First Minister's National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) 2019 Report and Recommendation on Policy Coherence. The recommendations are challenging the Scottish Government to do more to tackle gender inequality in Scotland.

Official Statistics published.

Findings from the 2019 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey on the attitudes of the Scottish public to the following forms of violence against women: sexual violence, domestic abuse (physical, verbal, mental and emotional), sexual harassment and commercial sexual exploitation.

An analysis of the responses to the consultation on the draft clinical pathway for healthcare professionals working to support adults who present having experienced rape or sexual assault.

Easy read summary leaflet which sets out what people can expect during and following a forensic medical examination (FME).

This short summary presents high quality and robust international evidence on what works to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) before it happens. This paper accompanies What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls: A Summary of the Evidence.

This report presents high quality and robust international evidence on what works to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) before it happens. This report assesses the effectiveness of primary prevention interventions, highlighting moderating factors for their successful implementation.

This paper, aimed towards policy and practitioners, presents high quality and robust international evidence on what works to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) before it happens. This paper accompanies What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls: evidence summary.

Funding for vital services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

A final overview of progress made since the publication of the Equally Safe delivery plan in November 2017, actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and a look forward to plans after the Equally Safe Strategy.

The aim of the Adult Clinical Pathway is to provide guidance for healthcare professionals in Scotland working to support adults (age 16+) who present having experienced rape or sexual assault.

Easy Read version of the consultation seeking views on how best to challenge men’s demand for prostitution in Scotland, reducing the harms associated with prostitution and supporting women involved to exit.

Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill published.

Forensic Medical Services Bill progresses.

£4.25m extra funding for frontline services.

Follow up to HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's 2017 review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes

New resource for professionals.

This report presents qualitative evidence on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women/girls (VAWD) during COVID-19 lockdown for the period 30/3/20 - 22/05/20.

Justice Secretary: “You are not alone.”

New fund to address harms and challenge demand.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill: island communities impact assessment.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill: child rights and welfare impact assessment.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill: data protection impact assessment. A revised version was published in November 2020 at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800042841

Bill will support improvements to service delivery.

An overview of progress made since the publication of the Equally Safe delivery plan in November 2017 and our priorities for the year ahead.

Update on the progress that has been made since the publication of the national action plan to prevent and eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in February 2016.

Advice how to recognise and help victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

New protective orders to safeguard those at risk.

Analysis of responses to our consultation on legislation to improve forensic medical services for victims of rape and sexual assault.

Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the new Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill.

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) for the new Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill.

Protection orders proposed under new Bill.

New law will help hold perpetrators to account.

Amendment proposed for Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Bill.

We are seeking your views on proposals to improve forensic medical services for victims of rape and sexual assault.

Consultation on improvements to forensic medical examinations.

Social Security Secretary calls for views in final weeks of consultation.

Scottish Women’s Aid awarded contract.

Our update on progress in implementing UN Human Rights Council recommendations in five thematic areas following the third Universal Periodic Review of human rights in the UK in May 2017.

Draft children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) of Scotland's strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

Draft equality impact assessment (EQIA) of Scotland's strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

Psychological abuse, and coercive and controlling behaviour covered by new measures.

A consultation to improve multi-agency risk assessment centres for victims of domestic abuse in Scotland.

Characteristics of victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police in Scotland.

Strategy highlights priority areas.

Equally Safe delivery plan was published in November 2017. This report provides an overview of progress made to date and sets out priorities for the year ahead.

Quicker access to local support services.

This toolkit provides resources to enable survivor support organisations become more sustainable.

A report summarising the approach, methodology, findings and recommendations of the options appraisal exercise carried out in June 2018 as part of the Chief Medical Officer's Taskforce to Improve Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.

Strengthening existing protections.

We are seeking views on plans to strengthen the existing legislative framework for the protection of women and girls from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a form of gender based violence. 

Support for victims of sexual violence.

Short summary of the key findings and policy messages from an evaluation of Moving Forward: Making Changes (MF:MC), an intensive group-based treatment programme for sex offenders.

This report summarises the key findings and policy messages from an evaluation of Moving Forward: Making Changes (MF:MC), an intensive group-based treatment programme for sex offenders.

Scottish Government to make up shortfall.

£2.8 million to expand programme to reduce risk of re-offending.

New toolkit to address gender-based violence in universities and colleges.

Domestic Abuse Bill passed by Parliament.

Scottish Women’s Aid ready staff as Domestic Abuse Bill progresses.

Training for 14,000 officers and staff ahead of new legislation.

Action to make women and girls equally safe.

The Equally Safe delivery plan will help to ensure that the ambitions of the Equally Safe Strategy makes a tangible difference.

Catherine Dyer to head up group to prevent offending among young people.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Characteristics of victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police in Scotland.

Work escalates to reduce domestic abuse in Scotland.

An equality impact assessment of the work being taken forward in relation to the FGM National Action Plan.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson opens the debate on the Bill, which introduces a new offence of domestic abuse.

Report on ‘Other sexual crimes’ recorded by the police in the periods 2013 to 2014 and 2016 to 2017.

Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) record for Scotland's national action plan to prevent and eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 2016 to 2020.

Funding to expand services in Orkney and Shetland.

£76,000 for new training developed for rural communities.

New report shows gaps in support

Details of funding for local rape crisis organisations providing direct support to women who have experienced sexual violence.

Funding for organisations working to address violence against women and girls (VAWG) from 2017 to 2020.

Funding for organisations working towards the outcomes in our Equally Safe policy for eradicating violence against women and girls.

Analysis of the impact that the provisions contained in the Bill will have on equality.

Analysis of the impact that the provisions contained in the Bill will have on children's rights and wellbeing.

Transforming the response for victims of sexual assault.

Transforming the response for victims of sexual assault.

Improving experience of evidence taking in sexual assault crimes.

New laws come into force.

Chief Medical Officer to lead expert group.

Increased momentum to eradicate violence against women and girls.

Domestic Abuse Bill strengthens powers to tackle psychological abuse.

Exploration of available knowledge and evidence on the scale and nature of prostitution in Scotland based on practitioner-based interviews.

Review of evidence on the impact of the criminalisation of the purchase of sex.

Government to give report careful consideration.

Prominent judge to chair independent review.

Record number of convictions for sexual crimes last year.

New video to help professionals tackle ‘hidden crime’.

Funding to improve public understanding of victim reaction to rape.

Calls for UK Government to stop dragging feet on Istanbul convention.

Changing young people’s attitudes to violence against women.

Findings from the 2014 Young People In Scotland survey on the attitudes of young people (aged 11-18) to violence against women.

Additional £360,000 for programme working with families.

Speed mentoring event for UN International Day of the Girl.

Details of proposed reforms to criminal procedure in relation to domestic abuse.

Funding allocated to organisations who work to combat violence against women and girls in Scotland.

New laws to help prosecution of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Scotland's Strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls.

Guidance for services for women and girls affected by FGM.

FGM: Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer letter to health professionals about additional resources.

Our statement opposing FGM. Includes versions in English, Arabic, French, Swahili and Somali.

Awareness-raising postcard challenging FGM.