Violence against women: “The Shadow Pandemic” 

“A Thousand Words” campaign by Woman’s Aid Scotland highlights the impact of Domestic Abuse.

The World Health Organisation stated that one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner. Violence against women has become a global epidemic, where gender inequality and discrimination against women are at its core. 

The 25th of November marks the international day against gender-based violence.

This is in memory of the Mirabal Sisters, who were three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were murdered in 1960, by the order of their ruler, Rafael Trujillo.  Since 1981 the 25th of November has been the dedicated day against gender-based violence. 

The scope of the global problem does not discriminate from the Uk. Scotland, England and Wales’s national statistics indicate a significant increase in gender-based violence. 

Like many aspects of society, the Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted gender-based violence due to millions having to stay at home.

Domestic violence intensified as a result, with exacerbating factors including, security, health & money worries, cramped living conditions, isolation from abusers, movement restrictions and deserted public spaces. 

Sexual Crime against Women 

2018-2022

The graph highlights the pre and post-pandemic statistics on sexual crime against women in Scotland. 2018-2022

The graph above highlights the comparison of Sexual Crimes Against women in both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic years in Scotland.

The national number of sexual crimes in Scotland has risen by 15% since 2020-21 and up 95% since 2012-13 according to Scottish crime statistics. This jump of 15% in the last year and 95% in the last decade, emphasises the need for change. 

A new term referring to the increase in gender-based violence has been coined, “The Shadow Pandemic” by UNWomen due to the intensifying nature of national data reports being released on a global scale indicating the scale of violence against women and girls.

This is true for Scotland too, this can be seen in the national data for Domestic Abuse Police Reports across Scotland dating from 2010 to highlight the growing nature of domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse Police Reports in Scotland.

2010-2021

The top 10 areas for a number of Domestic Abuse Police Reports in Scotland.

The danger is, due to the strain on the NHS women and girls could be denied the relevant resources and treatment that is required to fight gender-based violence, as Covid-19 has already put an immense strain on the essential services and domestic violence shelters and helplines, which has reached capacity.

So, it is important to prevent the rise of gender-based violence and to ensure victims are receiving the right care that should be available to them. 

In an attempt to raise awareness of the new pandemic, actor and humanitarian, Kate Winslet contributed to a 60-second video campaign.

The video highlights the rise in domestic violence during COVID -19 and delivers a vital message urging people to act to support women if they know or suspect someone is experiencing violence. 

After this surge in acts of gender-based violence, Police Scotland has responded to the huge pressure on society, in an attempt to bring about systemic change by releasing a new campaign “That Guy”. 

“That Guy” campaign focuses on directing the blame on the perpetrator of the violence, rather than on the victim of the crime. In a plea to men, to call out unacceptable, harassing and violent behaviour that they may witness in a social setting.

By creating a cultural awareness of the gender-based violence that is present in society, the police are asking bystanders to stick up for victims they see in public. By stating, “Don’t’ Be That Guy”.