Published on:
10
August 2023
A new strategy aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls in Clackmannanshire has been approved by councillors today.
Clackmannanshire’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2023-26 has been created by a range of partners across key organisations to ensure a co-ordinated approach.
The Council alongside Police Scotland, Women's Aid, the Resilience Learning Partnership, Forth Valley Victim Support, NHS Forth Valley and CTSI have developed the Strategy and Delivery Plan. Other partners involved include the Alcohol and Drug Partnership, the Family Wellbeing Partnership and the Community Justice Partnership.
Council Leader Ellen Forson, the Council’s Champion for Equalities, said: “Preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls in Clackmannanshire is everyone’s responsibility – that’s a key message in this Strategy – and that is why we’re taken a co-ordinated approach, recognising that solutions to prevent and tackle violence against women and girls do not lie in one organisation or service alone.”
Preventing violence against women and girls is a priority for the Council and its Alliance partners given the high rates of calls to Police Scotland about domestic violence; Clackmannanshire’s rate is the fourth highest in Scotland.
Some significant work has already been undertaken in Clackmannanshire with the Council and partners actively taking part in the annual 16 Days of Action campaign. The Council has been running a pilot self-referral helpline scheme since January 2023 to support men who want to address their behaviours. The non-court mandated Caledonian Programme is nationally recognised and is available in Clackmannanshire.
The Clackmannanshire Violence Against Women Strategic Partnership will focus on raising awareness, increasing knowledge and understanding across the workforce of the Council and partners.
Listening to those with lived experience is also a priority, along with working alongside those who have committed or experienced gender based violence.
The delivery plan includes staff training and promoting positive relationships in schools.
The Strategy highlights the range of services available locally to support people impacted by domestic abuse, sexual violence and gender based violence. More information is available on the Council’s website
The Council approved additional funding of £115,000 to support the partnership in delivering the Strategy and a new Violence Against Women Co-ordinator.