MSP to lead partnership event at town hall on tackling violence against women
A PARTNERSHIP featuring local MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad, Shetland Women’s Aid and the Compass Centre is set to host two events later this month centred on countering violence against women and girls.
A public event, chaired by Jane Moncrieff, will offer attendees the opportunity to engage directly with panellists representing frontline charities, the justice system and political representatives.
It has the aim of trying to understand the root causes of misogynistic violence and how they can be tackled.
This event will be preceded by a closed, round-table discussion including key figures from Shetland Women’s Aid, Compass Centre, Shetland’s new Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs), and professionals from the justice, social work and housing sectors.
The public event is taking place at Lerwick Town Hall on Monday 23 November from 4pm to 5pm, with free tickets available online.
The ticket page says the event is “open to all genders, and we ask attendees to support us in creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone”.
Goodlad said: “This is a key issue for our times, and we cannot pretend that gender-based violence does not affect people in our own communities, including our own family members and friends.
“It is a tragedy that so many women in Shetland have a story to tell, despite the good work over many years of organisations such as Women’s Aid and Compass supporting people affected and fighting for change.
“While it is significant that work has been stepped up at a national level – with the Scottish Government confirming plans for a Scottish Misogyny Bill, which would create specific criminal offences for misogynistic harassment and abuse – it is also vital that we tackle this issue from the bottom up, at a local level and involving local people.
“This is key if we are to make Shetland a safer place for everyone who lives here.”
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Debbie Sangster from the Compass Centre said her charity, which supports people affected by sexual violence, sees “first-hand the lasting impact violence against women and girls has on individuals, families and right across the wider community”.
“This is not something that can be tackled by specialist services, such as ours, alone and needs a collective commitment from our communities, public services, partner organisations and individuals,” she added.
“We welcome the opportunity to be part of these discussions with local people and organisations to raise awareness, help drive meaningful change and create a Shetland where women and girls feel safe, respected and able to live free from violence.”
The events have been planned in advance of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
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