Equally Safe In Practice
We envisage a Scotland where women and girls, in all their diversity, are equally safe.
“Violence against women and girls, in any form, has no place in our vision. It damages health and wellbeing, limits freedom and potential, and is a violation of the most fundamental human rights.”
(Equally Safe Strategy, Scottish Government, 2014)
What is Equally Safe in Practice?
Equally Safe in Practice (ESiP) is one of the key initiatives under the Scottish Governments Equally Safe Strategy that supports achievement of the strategy’s core aims. It offers public and third sector employers and workers a framework to support them to introduce or strengthen Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) training provision across all of their workforce levels and roles.
It also supports employers and institutions to know what training they need, why it matters, and how they can contribute to a safer, more equitable Scotland.
Our vision for change diagram outlines the core principles and the different streams of work that will help us to achieve it.
How can we make change happen?
Equally Safe in Practice envisions a Scottish workforce where a gender lens is applied consistently across policy and practice, and where practice is always both trauma and VAWG-informed. We believe that our workforces play a crucial role - and regardless of our level of responsibility, we must all have a shared understanding of the causal links between gender inequality and violence against women and girls.
What have we developed and tested so far?
- We have created the Equally Safe in Practice Knowledge & Skills Framework. A framework that provides a clear, structured matrix of essential knowledge and skills tailored to different roles within the workforce. This matrix defines what workers need to know and do, according to their role, to effectively address Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
- Established core messaging on gender equality and VAWG that raises awareness, challenges harmful norms and inspires action against VAWG, building on attitudinal research by YouGov and Equally Ours.
- We have developed, piloted and rolled out three e-learning modules (Together for Gender Equality, Understanding Domestic Abuse and Understanding Sexual Violence) which are available for your organisation to host on your Learning Management System.
- Developed learning solutions which provide organisations with a structure to embed learning into everyday practice, and support them to create space for reflective practice in supervisory or team settings.
What does it cost?
There is no cost to access the framework. There is also a suite of downloadable resources and materials that can be accessed here on our website. We have developed and piloted three e-modules which are available for use. We aim to keep these free at point of access for public sector organisations including local authorities, and third sector organisations. For larger and private organisations we ask that you get in touch to discuss how to make these available to your workforce.
How can my organisation, department or team get involved?
There are a range of resources available here on the website, but if your organisation, department or team is looking to introduce the ESiP Knowledge and Skills Framework or looking to work towards an ESiP Kitemark and would like some advice or support, contact the ESiP Administrator, Rosemary Banner - rosemary.banner@womensaid.scot, who will link you with an ESiP Lead. Your ESiP lead will explain the process further and if you decide to go ahead will support you to introduce the framework using our e-learning modules, toolkits, and guides.