This evidence was shared by Barnardo's Scotland in response to the Scottish First Minister's Advisory Council on Women and Girls call for evidence on Gender Equality.
In responding to this call for evidence, we have concentrated on experiences drawn from our services specialising in the arena of gender based violence, including service for women and children affected by domestic abuse, services for children affected by Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE); and services where we provide interventions with those perpetrating gender based violence, including for young fathers carrying out domestic abuse and for young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour.
Before commenting on the wider system, it is worth noting that as an organisation we are also taking steps to recognise the impact of gender (in)equality on our own work. Barnardo’s Scotland recognises that a gendered based approach provides a framework within which we can understand more fully and respond more effectively to gender based violence, including domestic abuse and child sexual abuse. In particular, we are as an organisation committed to developing our response to domestic abuse by implementing the Safe and Together model. Underlying this model is the need for a cultural shift, where we move away from holding women responsible for men’s violence to them and to children, and rather seek to make visible and hold accountable the perpetrator of abuse for his actions, and the harm he does to the woman and the child(ren).