Violence Against Women

• At just 3.7% Scotland has one of the lowest rape conviction rates in the world and is the lowest in Europe
• 85% of the 49,655 domestic abuse cases reported in Scotland in 2007-08 were perpetrated by men on women
• 1 in 2 boys and 1 in 3 girls believe that there are some circumstances when it is okay to hit a woman or force her to have sex

 Women and children have the right to live free from the threat of violence. Violence against women happens because women are denied an equal place in society. To end violence against women we need to challenge the daily infringements of women’s rights that chip away at their quality of life and inhibit their participation.

Engender supports

• Specialist courts with multi-agency risk assessment conferences in every area, violent offenders risk-assessed and the risk managed by multi-agency public protection boards
• A commitment to ensure that GP practices, A&E and elder services routinely enquire about rape, child sexual abuse and domestic violence
• Work that creates an understanding of women’s inequality as a cause and consequence of violence against women

Further Reading