Violence Anonymous group for perpetrators in Scotland

Violence Anonymous, a peer-led recovery group, was set up by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) in response to its research on repeat offenders.

The initiative is open to both men and women and is modelled similarly to 12-step recovery programmes like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

It is part of the organisation’s ongoing work across the country to address the root causes of violence and sexual violence.

Despite not specifically being funded to tackle sexual violence, the SVRU believes that many of the root causes are “exactly the same” as non-sexual violence.

Many of its initiatives are aimed at addressing those issues to “give young people a better start in life” and for those who have experienced violence or hardship, making sure that it doesn’t “repeat itself in future generations”.

It comes as the number of attacks on women in the last two years rose sharply from levels that were already alarmingly and unacceptably high.

Jimmy Paul, head of the SVRU, said: “Our goal is a Scotland free from violence. The way we’re funded, we don’t specifically look at sexual violence, but we know that lots of the root causes of sexual violence and non-sexual violence are exactly the same.

“We do lots of work addressing those root causes and interrupting anything that might lead someone to think that violence or sexual violence is acceptable.

“Those who are living in poverty or in hardship, those who experience adverse childhood experiences, those who grow up in the care system, those with addiction in the home or a lack of role models.

“Our projects are guided towards addressing those root causes to give young people a better start in life and, if you experience hardship or violence, making sure that doesn’t repeat itself through generations.”

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This week the Glasgow Times launched its Action Not Words campaign. In doing so, the paper agrees that men who are guilty of committing or enabling violence against women must change their behaviour and also calls on authorities including the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, and Police Scotland to take meaningful action where they have the power to make the city safer.

(Image: Damian Shields)

The latest official report shows that in the last year, up to the end of June 2026, there was one rape or attempted rape every 18 hours in Glasgow.

From July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, Police Scotland recorded almost 500 cases of rape or attempted rape in Glasgow.

The prevalence of sexual violence and domestic violence in the city is rising.

The SVRU says it is looking at the issues facing boys and men, emerging risks, and misogyny messaging in an effort to tackle the root causes.

Jimmy highlighted that the organisation is undertaking a variety of initiatives, including convening a group called the Healthy Masculinity Alliance and working with young offenders at HMP YOI Polmont to reflect on their behaviour, looking at healthy alternatives

He also believes that Scotland could be the first country in the world with an in-person Violence Anonymous group.

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Jimmy added: “We’re doing activities to understand the issues that boys face, the emerging risks - things like the Manosphere messaging and misogyny messaging- and developing tangible projects that help with that.

“It is also about helping to shape policy. I think we need to see more male role models in industries called HEAL industries: healthcare, education, administration, and literacy, especially if we’re serious about the power of positive male role models as young people grow up.

“All of our work has largely been focused on men because men make up most of the prison population, around 96% of it, and they make up most of the violence we see in Scotland.

“We’re also doing work in Polmont, partnered with the CYCJ, and that’s looking at developing and discussing in a deep way what it means to grow up as a man in Scotland.

“For some of those who have offended extremely violently or sexually, helping them to reflect on their behaviours, the root cause of where it comes from, and to think about what healthy alternatives might look like in their future.

“I went to the celebration event of that project, and I was astounded by the growth in those young boys and the depth of reflection that we had seen, and I am confident that will serve them well in the rest of their lives.”

For further information about the SVRU or the work that it is doing, visit the organisation’s website HERE.

As part of the Glasgow Times Action Not Words campaign, we are asking for improved safety in the city centre, in public spaces and in how women are able to travel around the city either on foot, by public transport or private vehicles.

Improved ‘clear-up’ rates of sexual assault cases, which in the last report earlier this year were put at just 42%.

Action to counter the rising culture of misogyny by ensuring men are positive role models for boys and young men, and through education and legislation if necessary.

Ensuring women who are in a vulnerable position through either addiction, mental health or relationship breakdown, who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own, are given the protection they need when provided with temporary accommodation.

Over the course of the campaign, we will be highlighting the issues above and calling for everyone in Glasgow to play their part in ending the male abuse that destroys women’s lives.

It is time for a safer Glasgow for women and girls, and to achieve that we need Action Not Words.