Victims/Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls was originally published in 2014 and refreshed in 2024. It was developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA in association with a wide range of partners from public and third sector organisations. It is owned jointly by COSLA and the Scottish Government.

The Equally Safe strategy adopts a vision of a strong and flourishing Scotland where all individuals are equally safe and respected, and where women and girls live free from all forms of violence and abuse, as well as the attitudes that perpetuate it. This strategy provides a framework towards the realisation of that ambition. This chapter sets out what local authorities should take into account, when they suspect that a person they are supporting, who is subject to the NRPF condition, might also be a victim/survivor of violence against women and girls (VAWG¹³⁵). As part of their wider public health duties, local authorities have key roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding women, children and young people experiencing VAWG who have NRPF.

17.1 Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Scotland

The Scottish Government and COSLA’s Equally Safe strategy seeks to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls (VAWG), defined as a range of actions that harm, or cause suffering and indignity to, women and children.

These include but are not limited to:

• physical, sexual and psychological violence in the family, general community or institutions. This includes domestic abuse, rape, incest and child sexual abuse
• sexual harassment and intimidation at work and in public
• commercial sexual exploitation including prostitution, pornography and trafficking
• so called ‘honour based’ violence, including dowry-related violence, female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages and ‘honour’ crimes

The Equally Safe Delivery Plan (2024) set out 14 deliverables under 4 priority areas that Scottish Government, COSLA and partners took to implement the strategy over a five-year period:

• Priority 1 – Scottish society embraces equality and mutual respect, and rejects all forms of violence against women and girls.
• Priority 2 – Women and girls thrive as equal citizens: socially, culturally, economically and politically.
• Priority 3 – Interventions are early and effective, preventing violence and maximising the safety and wellbeing of women, children and young people.
• Priority 4 – Men desist from all forms of violence against women and girls, and perpetrators of such violence receive a robust and effective response.

At a local level, Violence Against Women Partnerships (VAWPs) are recognised as the multiagency mechanism for delivering the Equally Safe Strategy. They are tasked with ensuring collaboration and coordination among services, organisations and agencies involved in addressing VAWG across the local system.

17.2 Local Authority Duties Towards Victims/Survivors of VAWG 

Local authority duties towards victims/survivors of VAWG are the same as those outlined in previous chapters towards NRPF individuals and families, with some additional considerations which require to be taken into account.

A key consideration is that migrant women and girls subject to NRPF who are dependent on the perpetrator of violence against them for food and accommodation might struggle to leave the relationship and support themselves and their children.

In many cases, women can be denied refuge accommodation if that refuge is funded by the government via Housing Benefit (a public fund for purposes of NRPF) and this can leave migrant women and girls with limited options for accessing safe accommodation.

It is possible, in some cases, for migrant women and girls in these circumstances to access a temporary form of support called the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC). The MVDAC provides a three month non-renewable visa with access to public funds, designed to allow survivors of domestic abuse to access immigration advice and determine if there is a route for them to stay in the UK. It is recommended that applicants access immigration advice prior to submitting the MVDAC application. The MVDAC is generally available for people who are on partner visas as partners of British citizens, settled persons, EEA nationals, refugees, members of the HM Armed Forces, Ukrainian nationals under the Ukraine schemes, or partners of people on work or student visas.

However, being able to access the MVDAC does not mean you can access a route to stay in the UK after the three month visa. Limited categories of people may be able to access Indefinite Leave to Remain under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse, if they can meet the evidential thresholds. Other people, for example, partners of people on work visas or student visas, cannot. 

If you encounter a migrant woman who had recently fled an abuser, or who you believe may still be with the abuser but is seeking ways to leave, it is absolutely vital that you refer them for specialist legal advice.

For more information, see:
8 Social Services Support – Children Within Families
9 Social Services Support – Adults

17.3 Support for Migrant Victims/Survivors of VAWG in Scotland

Specialist support available for migrant victims/survivors of VAWG in Scotland includes:

Legal Advice and Advocacy

• IOM – provide second tier advice to local authority officers and 1-to-1 immigration casework via local authority or third sector partner referral. Support includes assisting victims/survivors of VAWG to apply for the MVDAC, Set(DV) or a change of immigration route.
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre – provides free, confidential legal advice and advocacy to women facing gender-based violence
• JustRight Scotland – provides free, confidential legal advice and representation to migrant women and girls affected by gender-based violence
• Women’s Aid groups – some women’s aids groups may be able to provide refuge to migrant women with NRPF fleeing abuse
• Ubuntu Women Shelter – provides 72 hours to 1 week emergency accommodation for women with NRPF
• Southhall Black Sisters No Recourse Fund – supports organisations to cover migrant women’s housing and subsistence costs

Support and Advocacy

• AMINA – The Muslim Women Resource Centre – They provide emotional and practical support to ethnic minority women. Their support is available in different languages and you can contact them through their helpline. Call: 0808 801 0301
• Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (open 24/7) – Call: 0800 027 1234, Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk, Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk
• Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid – They provide specialist support to women from the Asian, Black and Minority ethnic community who have experienced domestic abuse. Website: hematgryffe.org.uk
• Shakti Women’s Aid – They offer support to migrant women in Edinburgh and the Lothians; and have an outreach service in Fife, Dundee and Forth Valley (Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire). Website: shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
• Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline (open daily, 6pm-midnight) – Call: 08088 01 03 02, Text: 07537 410027, Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
• Ruby Project, Rape Crisis Glasgow – Support and advocacy service specialising in working with women from black and ethnic minority communities
• See also Scottish Government’s directory of resources: https://safer.scot/information/da/support/