Tackling Violence Against Women in West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women Partnership launched its new Strategy for tackling all forms of violence against women on the 28th November 2006. It builds on six years of successful joint working in response to the Scottish Executive's National Strategy for addressing all forms of male violence against women. Clydebank Women's Aid, Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, Dumbarton District Women's Aid, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Rape Crisis, Scottish Children's Reporters' Administration, Strathclyde Police and West Dunbartonshire Council are all members of the newly renamed Partnership and this reflects the level of local commitment to tackling these issues. The Partnership - formerly known as the West Dunbartonshire Domestic Abuse Partnership - was created in 2000 to work in line with the National Strategy on Domestic Abuse and the local Action Plan stressed the value of multi-agency working in tackling domestic abuse and focused on three main pillars of action: prevention, protection and provision - known as the three 'Ps'. This will continue as the Violence Against Women Partnership extends its remit to other forms of male violence which women face in society today.
The work of the Partnership has been successful in co-ordinating joint working in the provision of services to women and children experiencing to domestic abuse. The Partnership can also help local agencies who are seeking information, resources, training and consultancy services in relation to domestic abuse and violence against women. The Partnership is a member of the Argyll and Clyde Domestic Abuse Training Consortium and is currently developing a training programme for 2007. The new Training Calendar will be available in February 2007.
The CARA (Challenging and Responding to Abuse) Support Service was established in 2003 and the number of women who have received support has steadily risen. Currently over 100 women have received direct, medium to long-term support from the Support Worker who also helps women access other agencies and support services in the area. The CARA Service organises a network of practitioners in the area who meet regularly to exchange information and to receive updates about developments in the field. The Service also supports the SILK women's group which meets weekly. In partnership with WDC's Community Learning and Development Service, the group are now formally constituted, run a successful weekly workshop and prepared a touring exhibition as part of WD's programme marking the 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women in November/December 2006.
The Reduce Abuse Project based in Clydebank High School is co-ordinating and delivering domestic abuse prevention programmes to young people in secondary schools and other youth settings in West Dunbartonshire and identifying children's needs in relation to this issue. The project is now in its fourth year. The Project Coordinator Shona Bruce has developed a teaching and resource pack for teaching staff. Working with colleagues from Education and Cultural Services, the Police and local Women's Aid groups Shona has developed a training programme to support teachers using the pack. The work of the Reduce Abuse Project is currently being extended to all secondary schools in WD and plans are being drawn up to adapt its lessons for use in local primary schools.
For further information about the work of the Partnership and the Projects please contact:
Anni Donaldson or Carol Young
West Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women Partnership Tel: 01389 738680
Shona Bruce
Reduce Abuse Project: 0141 952 4074
Mob: 07917 235 453
Irene Campbell
CARA (Challenging and Responding to Abuse) Service Confidential Direct Line: 01389 738 595
