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© 2016 Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse
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Welcome to the Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse
What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse is the physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse of one person by another with whom they are or have been in some form of relationship (e.g. partner, ex-
Domestic abuse can be happening to someone you know or it could be happening to you. This is not your fault. Domestic abuse happens everywhere regardless of age, sexuality, class, religion, ethnicity, gender, income, disability or where you live.
Violence against women is viewed as Gender Based Violence.
The Scottish Government definition of violence against women states
“…we define violence against women as actions which harm or cause suffering or indignity to women and children, where those carrying out the actions are mainly men and where woman and children are predominately the victims. The different forms of violence against women – including emotional, psychological, sexual and physical abuse, coercion and constraints – are interlinked. They have their roots in gender inequality and are therefore understood as gender –based violence”.
Gender Based Violence can include Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage and ‘Honour Based’ Crimes.
In accepting this definition, it must be recognised that children are witness to and subjected to much of this abuse and there is some correlation between domestic abuse and the mental, physical and sexual abuse of children. Domestic abuse is associated with broader gender inequality, and should be understood in its historical context, whereby societies have given greater status, wealth, influence, control and power to men. It is part of a range of behaviours constituting male abuse of this power, and is linked to other forms of male violence. Domestic abuse occurs in all social groups, is not caused by stress, unemployment, poverty, alcohol or mental illness, nor by the women who experience the abuse.
We are about raising awareness within our faith communities of domestic abuse, challenging preconceptions and standing together as people of God with those who are abused.
We organise study days, conferences, exhibitions and work with children and young people, as well as raising awareness of domestic abuse within our own faith communities and we provide resources for these.
Faith communities working together to tackle domestic abuse
Scottish Women’s Aid statistics
- 1 in 5 women will be abused in their lifetime (400,000)
- 1 in 10 women are currently being abused (200,000)
- 100,000 children are experiencing domestic abuse
- click here for more from SWA
A domestic violence incident is recorded every 10 minutes in Scotland with 53,681 incidents reported in 2008-
