Lord Advocate announces review of diversion from prosecution for sexual offences

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC has ordered a review of how prosecutors deal with diversion from prosecution in cases of serious sexual offences such as rape. If you would like to find out more about the review you can find it here.

Domestic Abuse Informed Practice

To support understanding of the Safe and Together model and other elements of best practice in relation to domestic abuse, two platforms have been developed for staff that work across North Lanarkshire. The first is for North Lanarkshire Council employees only and is available on Viva Engage, just look for ‘Domestic Abuse Informed Practice’.

The second platform is on the KHub and is available to any workers who have undertaken Safe and Together training. Home – North Lanarkshire Domestic Abuse Informed – Knowledge Hub (khub.net) If you are not already a member of the KHub you will have to register by setting up a username and password.

It is hoped that these sites will be useful to workers as they will be able to access information on the Safe and Together model, network with one another, ask questions and share resources.

16 Days of Activism to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November 2023, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December 2023, Human Rights Day.

The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Although the 16 Days starts in November, North Lanarkshire VAWSG is working on their plans which will be in line with the theme across Scotland in 2023 which is “Imagine a Scotland without GBV”.

Planned activity in North Lanarkshire for 16 Days 2023 includes:

• Education colleagues promoting a campaign looking at consent
• A seminar looking at the needs of women who experience gender-based violence and have no recourse to public funds.

Relationships, sexual health and parenthood guidance – consultation

This consultation seeks views on draft statutory guidance on the delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in Scottish schools. The guidance includes new sections on the five topics below as well as key learning points for these topics:

• consent and healthy relationships
• faith and belief
• gender inclusive education
• inclusion of understanding about differences of sex development (DSD) / variations in sex characteristics (VSC) / intersex people
• lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusive education

If you would like to provide a response to the consultation or find out more you can find the consultation here.