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Violence Against Women Partnership

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a fundamental issue of equality, human rights, public protection and community wellbeing. It is rooted in gender inequality, misogyny and the abuse of power, and is neither inevitable, acceptable, nor a private matter; it demands sustained leadership across public, third sector and community partners.

In Scotland, the national framework for addressing this challenge is the Scottish Government and COSLA's Equally Safe Strategy, which sets out a national ambition to stop violence before it occurs, strengthen support services, and improve responses to victims, survivors and perpetrators. The priorities of the Equally Safe 2023 are:

  • achieving greater gender equality
  • intervening early and effectively to prevent violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people
  • tackling perpetrators

Equally Safe highlights the need for agencies in every area to work together to tackle violence against women and girls. At a local level, Violence Against Women Partnerships (VAWPs) are recognised as the key drivers of this multi-agency work. Partnerships are responsible for bringing together all the key public sector and third sector organisations working to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls within each local authority area, and for ensuring that an effective and strategic approach is taken to progressing the priorities set out in Equally Safe.

The North Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership (VAWP) brings together partners to work together, recognising that no single organisation can prevent or respond to VAWG alone. It commits to providing collective leadership, coordinating action, sharing information safely, identifying gaps in provision and strengthening pathways so that people affected by abuse receive timely, trauma-informed and joined-up support.

Partnership representatives include:

Key objectives of the partnership are to:

  • raise awareness of the VAWP, the partners involved and their work
  • raise awareness of the issues around violence against women and girls
  • empower our local communities to challenge abusive and violent behaviour
  • provide information on the available support services available
  • support community engagement and participation for 16 Days of Action campaign

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The campaign calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to end VAWG. North Ayrshire VAWP works with VAW Network, White Ribbon Scotland, and local partners to organise events and activities during the campaign. To complement the campaign, the National VAW Network in Scotland develops specific themes, events and resources that are shared across all local authorities.

Coercive control

Coercive control can make you feel worthless, isolated or pressured into doing things you don't feel comfortable with. Having no freedom, choice or opinion over your own activities, body or finances is controlling and abusive.

If you recognise any of these behaviours please seek help.

Specialist and confidential support for men, women, and children, is available from local organisations including:

If you are at immediate risk, call 999.