Developing an Equally Safe Strategy for East Lothian
CAUTION: This article contains information regarding gender-based violence.
We know that forms of violence and domestic abuse exists in our community, and can affect everyone, from any background and the attitude we take is there is no 'them and us'.
This article contains information relating to harm and abuse, which we recognise can be emotive for some people.
Please take care of yourself: Public Protection Training self-care pack
If you, or someone you know, may be at risk of harm, information, support and advice is available at: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/protection-from-harm
Developing an Equally Safe Strategy for East Lothian
Focus on gender inequality
Local and national evidence consistently shows that most domestic abuse, sexual violence and coercive control involves a male perpetrators and a female victim.
Gender inequality, attitudes, behaviours and violence towards women and children takes place within our neighbourhoods, workplaces and communities. East Lothian is not immune.
To make a real difference, we need to change systems, attitudes and power dynamics that currently allow harm to continue. By aligning with the Scottish Equally Safe Strategy we aim to strengthen local accountability and ensure preventing and responding to violence is embedded across our services
This strategy is not ignorant to the fact that males can, and are, victims of abuse. It also recognises that people who identify as non-binary and trans experience targeted violence and abuse.
Our goal is make East Lothian a place where everyone feels equally safe.
Key components of the strategy
The draft strategy has been developed and informed by specialist organisations and the lived experience of women and young people in East Lothian. Their experiences highlight not only prevalence of violence against women and children but the challenges of accessing safe, timely, and appropriate support and the gaps that remain between policy ambition and everyday reality.
Preventing and eradicating violence against women and children is not confined to one service area; it intersects with housing, health, education, justice, poverty, community safety and organisational culture.
As such, the Equally Safe Strategy for East Lothian has been designed to operate as a cross‑cutting framework, supporting greater alignment across the Community Planning Partnership.
Why does this matter?
- violence against women and girls (VAWG) is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality
- it remains highly prevalent locally, driving homelessness, child protection involvement and poor health outcomes
- harm is increasingly shaped by online abuse, misogyny and coercive control
- women and girls facing poverty, disability, racism, rural isolation, insecure immigration status or exploitation experience greater barriers to safety
- prevention, early intervention and accountability must be prioritised alongside crisis‑led responses
Strategic aims
- Prevent violence before it occurs
- Strengthen early identification and response
- Improve safety and long‑term outcomes
- Hold perpetrators to account
- Challenge harmful attitudes and promote equality
- Provide visible, accountable leadership
What will be different?
- harmful gender norms will be challenged earlier and more consistently
- staff across services respond confidently and safely to disclosures
- women and young people experience joined‑up, trusted pathways
- there will be fewer repeated and escalated incidents
- prevention will be prioritised alongside protection and justice
Share your feedback
- have we got the strategy right?
- are there issues that should be highlighted more clearly?
- is there something missing, that could make an impact?
- what do you need to feel empowered to support delivery of the strategy?
How to feedback:
Please submit any feedback by Tuesday 30 June.
Comments and questions
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Equally Safe Strategy Development Group
Project lead: Caroline Rodgers crodgers@eastlothian.gov.uk
Questions and queries: equallysafe@eastlothian.gov.uk