Campaigners are being asked to visualise a Scotland free from the trauma and violence of domestic abuse in a bid to highlight the slow progress being made to end the scourge.
Scottish Women’s Aid CEO Dr Marsha Scott says #HerFreedomScotland has “come at the right time, given the slow progress to address the causes of domestic abuse”, as figures continue to soar.
More than 60,000 cases have been recorded every year since 2019, but experts say the official figures represent only a tiny number of the real violent domestic abuse happening in homes across the country.
Scott warned domestic abuse continued to remain a largely a hidden and unreported crime, and she urged support for new campaign #HerFreedomScotland.
She said: “This will help us all imagine a Scotland free from domestic abuse, filled with women and children who never feel the constraints of coercion and control, of constantly being less powerful, less prosperous, with more responsibility but less authority.
“Like everyone, we often struggle to imagine a world without domestic abuse.
“Maybe that is why we have made so little progress in eradicating it.”
Shoes campaign
Campaigners, families and those who have suffered domestic abuse, are being asked to take part and show their visual representation, using a pair of shoes, of what that freedom would look like to them.
Scott said: “I believe #HerFreedomScotland will help us all see and reach out for the Scotland we can create. Creativity can truly be a force for change.”
The campaign launches tomorrow and Scottish Women’s Aid is calling for entries to be posted on social media to bring attention to the ongoing crisis.
Participants can use any creative medium – photography, illustration, textiles, sculpture, or fine art – to create a visual of a woman’s shoes in a place that represents to them freedom from domestic abuse and post these on social media using the hashtag #HerFreedomScotland.
Domestic abuse doesn’t always involve violence. Emotional abuse is domestic abuse too – and it’s a crime in Scotland. Need to talk?
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline:
0800 027 1234
Email & webchat https://t.co/74R1MM1IuA
Text/WhatsApp 07401 288 595 pic.twitter.com/5g4BbroLLX— Scottish Women's Aid (@scotwomensaid) August 24, 2024
Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group is hoping anyone who has lost someone to domestic abuse and supporters of the cause will join the campaign.
One said: “We know that sharing experiences of domestic abuse helps decision-makers fully grasp the reality and importance of supporting survivors.
“Seeking help can be a tough step to take. Women’s Aid aims to break down the stigma and open the doors of safety for women and children.
“We hope this campaign will enable people across Scotland to share what the future could look like without domestic abuse while, at the same time, bringing home the deep trauma of experiencing.
“We believe highlighting this will show how responses need to improve in Scotland.”
Women aged 31-35 suffer the highest rate incidents per 10,000 population, while men in the same age group make up the highest number of perpetrators.
Almost 30,000 domestic abuse incidents last year, or 64%, were committed by repeat offenders.
And 91% of incidents continue to happen in the home.
A shocking 42% of female murder victims are killed during domestic abuse attacks.
Domestic abuse also accounted for the highest percentage of concerns identified in children on the Child Protection Register.
Tony Bone, domestic abuse campaigner, specialist solicitor, former police officer and member of Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Until we invest in fighting domestic abuse with the same vigour we do towards terrorism, victim deaths and the lifelong damage caused to families will continue to soar.
“Despite everything we already know, we still appear to be unable to stop the scourge of domestic violence. It is long overdue for Scotland to embrace new tactics if we are ever going to make a difference.”
Access Scottish Women’s Aid for details on how to join the campaign http://bit.ly/3yGVktv
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