Gender Based Violence
What is Gender Based Violence?
Gender based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Women and girls are primarily at higher risk of violence because of their gender. Children of all genders are also subject to harm through violence. This does not exclude violence against adult men, but rather recognises that women and girls are likely to be affected disproportionately. Many men and boys are also victims of violence, and this violence remains predominantly perpetrated by men, though not exclusively so.
Elected Members Briefing Note Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: What about the Men? highlighting the inequality of outcomes that other men and women experience as a result of their gender, raising awareness of good practice and exploring the key role that men can play in preventing and challenging VAWG.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
Violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term multiple physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls, including death. It negatively affects women’s general well-being and prevents women from fully participating in society. Violence not only has negative consequences for women but also their families, the community and the country at large. It has tremendous costs, from greater health care and legal expenses and losses in productivity, impacting national budgets and overall development (UN Women)
Types of Gender Based Violence
Definitions as used by Scottish health workers:
Commercial sexual exploitation
Sexual Harrassment and Stalking
Taking a Stand Campaigns
WE CAN ALL DO OUR BIT TO END GENDER BASED VIOLENCE.
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Over 100 cases of domestic abuse take place in Shetland every year. There were 64,807 cases recorded in Scotland from 2021-22 - where gender information was recorded every 4 in 5 incidents of domestic abuse involved a female victim and a male suspected perpetrator. Domestic Abuse affects people across our community regardless of sex, race, age, religion, sexuality, income or lifestyle.
