The North Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership brings together partners that have a role in tackling gender based violence and supporting those who are affected.
The partnership representatives comprises of a wide range of public and independent organisations including:
- North Ayrshire Women’s Aid
- Police Scotland (including Locality Policing & the Domestic, Abuse Unit)
- North Ayrshire Council (including Housing Services, Equalities, Social Services, HR, Education, Communications, Home Security Project, Adult Support & Protection, Child Protection, Economy & Communities, Welfare Reform)
- Community Justice Ayrshire
- Justice Services including the Caledonian System
- North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership
- Barnardos
- Break the Silence
- Fire & Rescue
The 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
- encourage support of the key VAWP campaign – White Ribbon 16 Days of Action
White Ribbon Scotland campaign
North Ayrshire is an affiliated White Ribbon Local Authority Area. White Ribbon Scotland is a campaign to involve men in tackling violence against women.
It is a joint initiative by a coalition of organisations, individuals and groups of men around Scotland.
Advocacy, Support, Safety, Information, Services Together (ASSIST)
ASSIST is a specialist domestic abuse advocacy and support service focussed on reducing risk to and improving the safety of victims of domestic abuse. Its aim is to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse – women, children and men – are safe, informed and supported throughout their involvement with the criminal justice system. You can get support from ASSIST if you are the victim (female or male) of an incident of domestic abuse following which the police have been called, where your partner or ex-partner has been charged and the case goes through court.
Most ASSIST referrals are received from Police Scotland, who should ask you if you want referred to ASSIST, where they attend an incident of domestic abuse and your partner or ex-partner has been charged. ASSIST also accept self-referrals or referrals from other agencies where there is a Domestic Abuse case going through a Court within the ASSIST service delivery area.
Areas covered include:
- North, East and South Ayrshire
- Glasgow
- East and West Dunbartonshire
- Renfrewshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Inverclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- North and South Lanarkshire
They also provide a service to male victims in parts of Edinburgh.
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 women, men and children is available from local organisations including:
If at immediate risk contact 999.