Moray Council: 'Men need to be the solution to ending domestic abuse'
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Men have to be the solution to ending domestic abuse and violence against women.
That was the message from members of Moray Council's police and fire and rescue committee yesterday.
After reviewing the work of the Moray Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership, the committee praised its efforts as well as its involvement in 16 Days of Action, a national awareness campaign to combat abuse and violence.
Paula Coy (Elgin North, SNP), the committee's chairwoman, asked members to encourage schools in their wards to engage with the campaign.
Cllr Coy also recommended viewing the That Guy video from Police Scotland.
The video shows how seemingly innocuous comments and attitudes towards women can sow the seeds of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
Cllr Louise Nicol (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) said: "My only concern with the video is that it’s all young guys that are in it.
"This is not just a young guy problem, it’s older men as well.
"It’s going to take men to be the solution and for them to be supporting the message and acting on it."
Her comments were supported by Cllr Coy who said: "Older women can testify this is not a new problem.
"We need men to be talking to men."
Chief Superintendent George MacDonald explained the younger male demographic was the intended audience for the video and that future campaigns would feature older generations.
He said: "It’s so they (younger men) understand what is a healthy and positive relationship and have the confidence to report behaviour that is not.
"A lot of what we see is unacceptable behaviours learned from poor role models."
The 16 Days of Action campaign begins on Thursday, November 25.
The Moray Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership includes representatives from Moray Council, NHS Grampian, police, Moray Women’s Aid, Action for Children as well as other organisations.
