New guidance for tackling violence against women during COVID-19

Public Health Scotland has contributed to new guidance out today, to support local authorities and other key partners to tackle violence against women during and after COVID-19.  It supplements existing guidance underpinning Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls.

The guidance aims to ensure that we are joined up locally and across a wide range of organisations in protecting the human rights and safeguarding the needs of women, children and young people experiencing violence throughout the pandemic and into the recovery period. 

Katie Cosgrove, Organisational Lead – Gender-based Violence said:

“Responding to COVID-19 has brought huge challenges for us all, and has highlighted the particular risks faced by women and children experiencing abuse.  As we adapt to the demands of this crisis, we hope this guidance will help us work together to protect and support women and children, and to ensure that we prioritise their safety and wellbeing as we respond to the virus, and in local planning for the post pandemic period.”

Read the full Coronavirus (COVID-19) Supplementary National Violence Against Women Guidance (PDF).