SUPPORTING SCHOOLS TO PLAY THEIR PART IN TACKLING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

A dedicated approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) in schools has been published.

Developed by a working group co-chaired by the Scottish Government, Rape Crisis Scotland and Zero Tolerance, the framework encompasses testimony from young people and staff and sets out how schools can use education, with an emphasis on compassion, to challenge societal views which normalise gender-based violence.

It aims to support schools by:

• demonstrating the different ways GBV can affect young people in a school community and highlighting how schools can challenge the underlying gender inequalities which can cause it

• providing guidance to support schools’ responses to GBV experienced, or carried out by, children and young people or other members of the school community, including staff

• outlining the approach schools should take to recording GBV behaviours and signposting to further support and learning

GBV refers to behaviours ranging from name calling, intimidation and physical violence to sexual harassment and emotional abuse, which can affect anyone, but is more commonly experienced by women and girls.

The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research report, published last year, highlighted an increase in misogynistic views and language as an emerging concern in schools which the Education Secretary committed to developing a dedicated approach to address, as part of the government’s wider response to challenges with behaviour in schools.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“I fully support the SNP Scottish Government’s ambition to create cultures in schools whereby all members of the school community know that gender-based violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Prevention and early intervention are key to the approach to address the underlying causes of gender-based violence, particularly gender inequality.

“This framework forms part of our broader action to address the issue of gender equality within education as part of the implementation of our Equally Safe Strategy and broader commitment to eradicate gender-based violence in every part of our society.

“All children and young people have a right to a learning environment where they are protected, cared for, and in which their rights and needs are respected. The vital role of schools to help create this culture can help us to end of gender-based violence and misogyny once and for all.”

SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF RAPE AND DOMESTIC ABUSE

Survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse will be able to access support quicker thanks to an additional £2 million of funding from the Scottish Government.

The funding will go to Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid so they can reduce their waiting lists for women who need support services, including refuge places and counselling. Last year, both organisations supported more than 27,000 women and girls, but demand for their services has grown.

The £2 million for 2024-25 is in addition to £19 million annual funding the Scottish Government provides to support women with experience of violence through the Delivering Equally Safe fund.  

Supporting Survivors of Rape and Domestic Abuse

The work that Women’s Aids and Rape Crisis centres do day in and day out to support women, girls and families, here in Renfrewshire and across Scotland, is invaluable.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“We have seen that demand for these services is increasing, which is why the SNP Scottish Government is providing record funding, investing an additional £2 million to help with immediate need. This is in addition to funding received through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund.

“Alongside supporting those impacted, the Scottish Government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it through our Equally Safe Strategy. It is this that needs to change in order to eradicate the violence too many experience.”

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES CONTINUING RENT PROTECTION FOR PRIVATE TENANTS

Regulations to protect tenants concerned about rent increases following the ending of the emergency rent cap have been laid in the Scottish Parliament.

From 1 April onwards, subject to parliamentary approval, the process for rent adjudication will temporarily be modified for one year.

This will enable challenges to rent increases on the basis of open market rent, as well as a maximum ‘reasonable’ increase to be defined by reference to a new ‘taper’ that supports a transition away from the cap. The government will also introduce a Housing Bill later this year, which is expected to establish a longer-term rent control system.

Any tenant who wishes to dispute a rent increase notice can apply for rent adjudication. In such cases, Rent Service Scotland or the First-tier Tribunal will set rent based on the lowest of the following three figures:

• the open market rate

• the rent requested by the landlord

• and a comparator based on the difference between the market rate and current rent

Rent Protection for Private Tenants

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing in a long-term system of rent controls and creating new rights for tenants through the forthcoming Housing Bill.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“The Scottish Government’s emergency legislation, which capped in-tenancy rent increases and protected tenants across Scotland, led the way in protecting people from the from the worst impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

“As final deadline for these temporary measures approaches, the Scottish Government is continuing to put power into the hands of tenants, reducing rent increases and giving more certainty to those who are struggling.

“From the 1st February, the Scottish Government is proposing temporary changes to the way rents are decided when tenants challenge a rent increase to provide a level of protection for private tenants which remains far greater than anywhere else in the UK. It will also enable landlords to react to an increase in costs and reinvest in our private rented sector.

“This follows the significant progress made by the SNP in government, which has delivered 126,396 affordable homes since 2007 – over 40% more per head of population than in England – while making Scotland the fairest place to rent in the UK after the introduction of Private Residential Tenancies in 2017 with the very limited powers it has.

“At the same time, the Scottish Government is committed to bringing in a long-term system of rent controls and creating new rights for tenants through the forthcoming Housing Bill.

“This stands in stark contrast to Westminster’s antics, which have resulted in austerity, Brexit and a cost of living crisis – all of which have put huge strain on household budgets across Scotland.

“Under the SNP, Scotland’s values of fairness, equality and prosperity are reflected in government, and those impacted by damaging Westminster policies will always be protected and empowered.”

Natalie Don MSP welcomes Scottish Government’s Heating Assistance Payment

“Once again the SNP Scottish Government is stepping up to support households within its limited budget, despite the majority of powers lying with the Tories at Westminster”, said Natalie Don MSP commenting on the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce a new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit.

This support is being introduced by the SNP Scottish Government and will guarantee an annual payment of £50 to around 400,000 low income households from February 2023.  It replaces the UK Government’s Cold Weather payments which were only triggered during a ‘cold spell’ of seven consecutive days below zero degrees.  The new payment from the Scottish Government will provide a reliable, stable guaranteed payment in winter, no matter the weather.

It will be the thirteenth social security payment introduced by the SNP Scottish Government and will be only available in Scotland.

Natalie Don MSP

Natalie Don MSP added:

“The SNP Scottish Government is providing a guaranteed payment of £50 to low-income households in Renfrewshire North and West to help pay their energy bills every winter, starting in February 2023.

“The Scottish Government’s annual £20m investment will mean households will get an automatic payment. The UK Cold Weather payments only reached 11,000 households in 2021/22.

“As the Scottish Government continues to step up and provide support to households across Scotland, it does so with one hand tied behind its back by the UK Tory government.

“That is why it is only with the full powers of independence can we start to build a fairer, more equal country.”