Violence against Women Partnership
The Angus Violence against Women Partnership (AVAWP) is a multi-agency partnership which co-ordinates and supports professionals from voluntary and statutory agencies tackle a range of issues, including domestic abuse, prostitution, human trafficking, rape and sexual assault.
(AVAWP was formerly called Angus Partnership on Domestic Abuse (APODA). It was renamed in June 2010 to reflect its widening remit.)
Vision
We aspire to eradicate Violence Against Women in Angus and make it a place where women and children can, with support when necessary, live safely free from the inequalities and harm associated with gender based violence.
AVAWP recognises that partnership working is essential for providing a comprehensive response to violence against women and that by working together agencies can intervene more effectively with the men who perpetrate violence; safeguard the women and children affected by it; and take steps to prevent it happening in the first place.
The partnership has adopted the Scottish Government definition of Violence Against Women and will develop an outcomes based approach to its work.
The focus is on women and children because they are overwhelmingly, the victims of men's violence. This is not to deny that there are other forms of interpersonal violence and abuse some of which are not based on the abuse of male power and privilege. All forms of violence need to be taken seriously but this does not detract from the importance of tackling violence against women.
Guiding Principles
The guiding principles which underpin the work of the Angus Violence Against Women Partnership are:
- Prevention - to prevent, remove or diminish the risk of violence against women and its impact on children and young people
- Protection - to protect women from victimisation, repeat victimisation or harassment by perpetrators and protect the children and young people affected.
- Provision - to provide adequate services to deal with the consequences of violence against women and children to help them rebuild their lives.
- Participation - to ensure policy making and practice development around violence against women is shaped by the experiences, needs and views of those who use services.
Key facts about Violence against Women
Violence against Women includes:-
- Domestic Abuse
- Rape & Sexual Assault
- Stalking & Harassment
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- "Honour" Crimes
- Forced Marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation
Violence against women is widespread affecting women of any age, class, race, religion, sexuality or ability
Women are most at risk from men they know
When asked, significant numbers of women describe patterns of abusive behaviour and repeat victimisation, rather than discrete assaults
Women experience violence at different points in their lives and significant numbers of women experience more than one type of violence