John Swinney 'more determined than ever' to tackle violence against women and girls
John Swinney made the comments after meeting with abuse survivors, frontline organisations and public sector bodies.
First Minister John Swinney says he is “more determined than ever” to tackle violence against women and girls after meeting with abuse survivors.
However the First Minister conceded that while the government has a “vital role” to perform, everyone has a part to play if “lasting change” is to be achieved.
Mr Swinney has now called on men to create a safe culture for women and girls by challenging sexism and confronting abusive behaviour. He said “Inequality and harmful attitudes” have allowed violence to persist in Scotland.
He said: “Violence against women and girls is completely unacceptable.
“There can be no excuses for it. Having listened to courageous survivors such as Danielle MacDonald, I am more determined than ever to use my leadership as First Minister to help drive the change Scotland needs.
“For every woman who speaks out, there are many more who suffer in silence, fearful of the consequences of disclosing - an escalation in their partner’s abuse, not being believed, having their children removed from them.
“We must ensure services work together to identify abuse earlier, support survivors and hold perpetrators to account.”
Mr Swinney said Scotland has made “important progress” in recent years by strengthening laws, investing in specialist support services, and the government’s equally safe strategy.
He added: “But the scale and persistence of violence against women and girls shows that we must go further and faster.
“This week, I met organisations on the frontline supporting women and girls affected by violence and abuse.
“Their message was clear - if we are serious about ending male violence, we must also tackle the inequality and harmful attitudes that allow it to persist.
“Continuing this engagement, next week I will meet public sector partners to identify further actions to strengthen Scotland’s response.
“These discussions will help shape the measures we take forward in the programme for government.
“Government has a vital role to play, but lasting change requires all of us to play our part.
“Men, in particular, must challenge sexism, confront abusive behaviour and help create a culture where every woman and girl can live free from violence, abuse and fear.”
Earlier this month, Mr Swinney said the Scottish government is investing more than £9.9 million this year for support, including anti-racism work, hate crime prevention, tackling violence against women and girls, and community integration projects.
He added: “My Government will continue to do all it can to support communities, challenge prejudice and build a fairer Scotland.”
The UK women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has recently warned sexism and racism as “becoming normal”.
The Cabinet minister said earlier this month she worries for the world that girls are growing up into, and for young men who are encouraged to think their problems are “somehow down to women”.
She said: “I’m profoundly worried about what we’re seeing in terms of misogyny across society.
“I worry about our daughters. I worry about the kind of world that they’re growing up into.
“But also worry about our sons and what they’re being exposed to, especially online and the extent to which we have this whole industry that’s been built up on exploiting grievance and encouraging young men to think that the problems they’re experiencing are, or the ills that we see in the world are somehow down to women.
“And I think, in terms of attitudes again, I worry that we are at kind of a ground zero really in terms of attitudes around violence against women and girls.
“Things that not very long ago felt totally unacceptable are becoming normal.”
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