Key Points
- Formal Motion to be Tabled: Scottish Green Party Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell will table a motion in Glasgow City Council this coming Thursday demanding immediate measures to tackle gender violence.
- Statistics on the Rise: According to figures from the Scottish Police Authority, cases of violence towards women and girls in 2025–26 have risen by 7.6%, with 12.2% more domestic cases reported.
- Five Years of Increase: The motion points to an “alarmingly high rate of increase” in the number of rapes and sexual assaults reported in Glasgow within the last five years.
- White Ribbon Scotland Campaign Pledge: This motion calls for the launching of the White Ribbon Scotland campaign in the whole city, with men being requested to promise not to be involved in any form of violence against women.
- Domestic and Public Safety Issues: Acknowledging that the vast majority of sexual offences take place in a domestic environment, carried out by people known to the victims in all social strata, the motion draws attention to particular public space safety issues in the city center.
- Requests for Intervention: In its motion, the council is asked to obtain analytical information from Police Scotland, as well as clarification from the Scottish Government regarding funding and legislation, such as the Misogyny Bill.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 8, 2026 – Glasgow councillors are being urged to renew their support for the White Ribbon Scotland campaign following a sharp increase in the number of recorded offences committed against women and girls across the local authority area.
As reported by Catherine Hunter of Glasgow Live, Scottish Green Party Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell is presenting a formal motion to the full council this Thursday, highlighting what she describes as a “shocking increase” in reported rapes and sexual crimes in Glasgow over the past five years.
The local political initiative comes directly after the release of official statistical data from the Scottish Police Authority. The figures reveal that violence against women and girls across the country increased by 7.6 per cent during the 2025–26 period, while crimes involving a domestic element experienced a 12.2 per cent rise.
What action is Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell asking Glasgow City Council to take?
Councillor Reid-McConnell is calling on Glasgow City Council to officially relaunch the White Ribbon Scotland campaign throughout the local authority area. The motion asks all male councillors, local authority staff, and male residents across the city to sign a public pledge promising never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women in any form.
Writing in the motion text, Councillor Reid-McConnell stated:
“Council notes that while increases are being seen in every part of the city and that most crimes are carried out in domestic premises by perpetrators who are known to their victims, there are specific safety concerns in relation to public spaces and in the city centre and this merits a bespoke approach.”
She added:
“Council recognises that rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences are overwhelmingly committed by men against women, and that this includes men across society regardless of race, religion or immigration status. Council believes that all men have a role to play in ending male violence against women.”
To translate these principles into practical municipal governance, the motion requests that women’s safety be established as a primary priority across the entire council organizational framework. It mandates an evidence-led review of existing policy measures to assess their current efficacy and determine what additional steps are required to protect women in public and private spaces.
Furthermore, the motion instructs Glasgow City Council officials to write directly to Police Scotland. The letter will request additional analytical insight regarding local crime statistics and trends, specifically asking police analysts to provide a detailed breakdown comparing historic crime reports against currently active offences.
The council will also be required to correspond with the Scottish Government to seek further procedural details regarding recently announced national legislative commitments, specifically examining how national interventions will impact safety provision within Glasgow.
Explore More Glasgow Council News
How to Check Eligibility for Glasgow Council Tax Reduction 2026
School Worker Bitten Days After Glasgow Council Pay Cut: Southside 2026
Background of the particular development
The motion submitted by Councillor Reid-McConnell follows previous municipal commitments and national legislative proposals aimed at curbing gender-based violence.
In April 2025, Glasgow City Council unanimously passed a cross-party motion titled ‘Women’s Safety in Glasgow’. That agreement established a comprehensive framework of municipal actions, which included reviewing street lighting, improving public transport safety parameters, and aligning city planning decisions with the physical security requirements of women and girls. However, local elected representatives argue that despite these measures, raw crime figures demonstrate an ongoing public safety challenge requiring renewed institutional focus.
At the national level, First Minister John Swinney recently outlined government strategies within the Programme for Government. These policy measures include proposals for a dedicated Misogyny Bill designed to create specific criminal offences targeting misogynistic behaviour, alongside a public health campaign aimed at promoting positive male role modelling. The Scottish Government has also announced multi-year funding packages for third-sector support organisations that assist survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The upcoming council debate aims to ensure these broader national policies directly translate into tangible local authority resources for Glasgow.
How this development can affect Glasgow residents, council staff, and public services
If passed by full council on Thursday, this development will directly influence several distinct groups across Glasgow:
- Female Residents and Commuters: Women and girls in Glasgow could see targeted public safety improvements, particularly within the city centre and on public transport networks. An evidence-led review of council policies could lead to practical changes, such as enhanced street lighting, increased public space monitoring, and tailored safety initiatives designed to make public areas safer at night.
- Male Councillors, Public Sector Staff, and Male Citizens: Men across the city will be actively encouraged to engage with the White Ribbon Scotland campaign. This will involve formal educational drives, workplace training within the council family, and community-level messaging designed to encourage men to challenge misogynistic behaviour and report domestic or sexual abuse.
- Police Scotland and Local Authority Teams: Police Scotland analysts and council officers will face immediate operational requirements to produce detailed statistical breakdowns. Local police divisions will need to provide granular data on crime trends, helping local authority committees allocate resources efficiently to address both domestic abuse instances and public space criminality.
- Third-Sector Support Organisations: Local charities, counselling services, and support groups for survivors of gender-based violence in Glasgow could gain greater operational clarity and institutional support as the council presses the Scottish Government for details on how national multi-year funding streams will be distributed regionally.
