National Strategy on ending sexual violence against men and boys: FOI release

Information requested

1. It was promised in the 2021 SNP Manifesto that “we will establish a national strategy on ending intimate and sexual violence against men and boys, which will sit in parallel with and complement the work of Equally Safe.” Please provide a copy of this strategy.

2. If the national strategy on ending intimate and sexual violence against men and boys has not been published, when is it expected to be published?

1. On what date was the last meeting held to discuss the national strategy on ending intimate and sexual violence against men and boys?

2. Which Minister is responsible for designing the national strategy on ending intimate and sexual violence against men and boys?"

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

In answer to your third question, a meeting to discuss a national strategy on ending intimate and sexual violence against men and boys took place on 12 September 2022.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

In regards to your first, second and fourth questions, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Additional information

The Scottish Government's Programme for Government 2021-22, 'A fairer, greener Scotland' includes a commitment to “progress work to tackle violence against men and boys, investing in services which support male survivors of rape and domestic abuse.”

The Scottish Government is clear that domestic and intimate partner violence, in all its forms, has no place in Scotland. All legislative changes adopted to address domestic abuse and rape and sexual assault, such as the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 similarly protect both female and male victims.

The Scottish Government has invested in services which support male survivors of abuse by funding a range of organisations and projects, including, among others: the Men’s Advice Line; SACRO’s FearFree project which supports male and LGBTI survivors of domestic violence, and AMIS, a charity that supports men experiencing domestic abuse.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.