The ZERO TOLERANCE campaign has a two-fold objective.

• Firstly, to educate people about the extent of the problem.

• Secondly, to send out a clear signal that crimes of violence against women are unacceptable.

ZERO TOLERANCE was an initiative originated in Edinburgh by Edinburgh District Council in response to a consultation exercise conducted by the Women's Committee when women in Edinburgh identified the issue of safety as a priority.

In response to this the Women's Committee carried out further research in secondary schools in Edinburgh to examine young people's attitudes to violence against women.

The research found that:

• There was a wide acceptance of violence against women amongst boys, some as young as twelve years old.

• Boys and girls found violence more acceptable if the perpetrator was married to the victim.

In addition the research indicated that exposure to information about violence against women influenced attitudes and made it less acceptable.

The campaign tackles the issue of violence against women and children through raising awareness of domestic violence, child sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault.

ZERO TOLERANCE means:

• Prevention: active prevention of crimes of violence against women and children;

• Provision: adequate provision of support services for women and children;

• Protection: appropriate legal protection for women and children suffering from violence.

The campaign material has three main objectives:

• To inform people about the extent of the problem

• To challenge the myths which surround male violence against women

• To promote a criminalisation strategy.

More information is available from: