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CoSLA Executive Meeting- talking to Councillors from all over Scotland!

Posted on 21 March 2012 by lola Comments Off on CoSLA Executive Meeting- talking to Councillors from all over Scotland!

In November 2011, Declan and I had a wonderful meeting with the COSLA Executive Group for Community Well-being & Safety. We were spoiled to be given a thirty minute spot within the meeting to give a presentation on our Shaping the Future Survey and our Legacy. We had a lot of positive feedback and even a few commitments! Thank you to Cllr Harry McGuigan, chair of the Executive Group and our strong ally who helped us secure this spot and supported us throughout. Here’s the presentation:

Lola & Declan presentation to CoSLA Executive – 24th November 2011

Lola & Declan Powerpoint for CoSLA Executive – 24th November 2011

VAV Survey Published!

Posted on 21 March 2012 by lola Comments Off on VAV Survey Published!

Our VAV survey has finally been published! Thank you to all that took part, we had over 600 people complete it. These findings are now being used to help develop policies and influence the people in power with real young people’s voices. There was some shocking statistics that came out from it. These include:

• 28% said they would accept one-off violence from a partner
• 17% said they would accept one-off violence between parents
• 11% would accept forced sex

Considering the vast majority of respondents were aged 13-15 we think you’ll agree that these are some scary views. A copy of the survey is being sent to every high school in Scotland, and every MSP or person in power who expresses an interest. We’re so glad to finally get these young people’s voices out there and making a real difference 🙂

This photo is from an event in Parliament celebrating the publication of the survey in October 2011. Our wonderful allies Sandra White MSP and Stewart Maxwell MSP joined us in the photo-shoot!

To download the survey and related documents just click the links 🙂

Cedar Saved For Another Three Months!

Posted on 29 March 2011 by lola Comments Off on Cedar Saved For Another Three Months!

VAV has been fighting for the CEDAR project’s (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery project) continuation since we heard the plans to stop funding after March this year. We’re ecstatic to announce that we recently got the news that the deadline for funding to stop has been extended til the end of June this year. This gives more time for us to fight and find more funding for this inspirational pilot project.

CEDAR is a project which takes woman, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse and gives them support and information relating to their experience of domestic abuse. Each member is assessed before starting the programme to make sure that it is safe for them to attend, and then attends a weekly group session over a period of twelve weeks. Cedar’s main aim is to teach members not to become another victim or perpetrator, and teaches coping mechanisms which are essential to survival of abuse. This really is an amazing project, and our hopes are that it will eventually be continued indefinitely.