Gender equality is at the root of violence
against women and girls and the STUC will
campaign to keep this issue at the heart
of the agenda for all public bodies in
Scotland. Delegates commended the Scottish
Government’s “Equally Safe”
strategy and the STUC pledged to lend
its full support to groups campaigning
to build a Scotland free from violence
against women and girls.
Supporting the FBU motion, UNISON’s
Helen Duddy told delegates that UNISON
has campaigned against violence against
women for many years, developing workplace
policies to support women experiencing
domestic abuse.
“It is devastating to hear in news
reports on an almost daily basis about
women being assaulted, beaten, raped and
murdered. On average two women each week
are killed by a current or former male
partner. The figures are shocking - as
is the fact that too often the law doesn’t
effectively hold male perpetrators of
violence to account.”
Helen welcomed the fact that the Scottish
Government’s strategy ‘Equally
Safe’ includes a comprehensive review
of the justice system, informed by high
profile cases of historic sexual abuse
across the UK in recent years which have
helped highlight major failings in securing
justice for victims.
“This is an equalities issue,”
said Helen. “And we are very clear
in UNISON that this is a gendered issue,
while absolutely recognising that men
and boys can also be victims of violence.”
Helen also highlighted the effect of
austerity cuts on women’s services
and the ways in which women are worst
affected.
“UNISON General Secretary Dave
Prentis, in his speech to our women’s
conference this year, listed numerous
ways the cuts impact on women, including
that cuts in tax credits cost women four
times as much as men, cuts to childcare
support cost women seven times as much
and a child benefit freeze costs women
five times as much” said Helen.
“Meanwhile women also bear the
brunt of cuts to local government services
and organisations like Women’s Aid
and Rape Crisis are struggling to keep
lifeline services open.”
Helen urged delegates work to change
society to make sure women can live free
from violence and pointed to UNISON’s
new guide published last year, on why
domestic abuse is a trade union issue
and what we can do to support women, which
includes a model workplace domestic violence
and abuse policy.
“I am pleased that the Equally
Safe strategy refers to workplaces and
the need for many organisations, including
employers and trade unions, to be engaged
in tackling violence against women and
girls.”
