The 16 Days of Action campaign commences Friday 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, running through to Saturday 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Linked to the 16 Days of Action, 25 November is also White Ribbon Day – a campaign that seeks to end male violence against women. The campaign spans these 16 days in order to highlight the link between abuse and violence against women and human rights and also highlights other significant dates, including Thursday 1 December, World AIDS Day.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, sexuality, sexual orientation, disability, religion or socioeconomic status. However, domestic abuse is a gendered issue; women are much more likely to be victims than men and are far more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, sexual violence and violence which results in injury or death.
During the pandemic, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline experienced a marked increase in calls, reinforcing the acknowledgement that for some of us, home is not a safe place. More than 2.4 million people are affected by domestic abuse each year, and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
The global 16 Days campaign is an organising strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and to:
- raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at local, national, regional and international levels
- strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women
- establish a clear link between local and international work to end gender-based violence against women
- provide a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies
- demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world organising against gender-based violence against women
- create tools to pressure governments to implement commitments to eliminate gender-based violence against women.
What is domestic abuse?
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as the behaviour of a person (A) towards another person (B) is domestic abuse if:
- A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and
- the behaviour is abusive.
Behaviour is ‘abusive’ if it consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; controlling or coercive behaviour; economic abuse; psychological, emotional or other abuse.
This behaviour can consist of a single incident or a course of conduct. Further detail is provided to detail how ‘personally connected’ would be defined and children are now recognised as victims of domestic abuse here: Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (legislation.gov.uk)
It is important to note that domestic abuse is complex and there is overlap in the different types of abuse; it could consist of one or more forms of abuse. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.
Local 16 Days activities and events
This year locally, the focus will be on raising awareness of what constitutes domestic abuse. A variety of agencies and organisations have plans during the 16 Days of Action, including training and awareness raising events. Please find below details of just a few of the things going on throughout the 16 Days.
Reclaim the Night: Friday 25 November
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) will be holding its Reclaim the Night march in Stroud this Friday (25 November).
Click here for further information.
Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
GDASS has a number of training events planned:
- Thursday 1 December: Virtual learning event – Non-fatal Strangulation
Click here to find out more and book your place. - Friday 2 December: Virtual Agency Awareness
Click here to find out more and book your place. - Wednesday 7 December: Recognising and Responding to Domestic Abuse
This online training event is aimed at all health and wellbeing professionals. Click here to find out more and book your place.
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership
As part of the 16 Days of Action the GSCP are running a webinar on Suicide and Honour Killing Timelines, presented by Professor Jane Monckton Smith, University of Gloucestershire.
To find out more and to book a place on the webinar, click here>
The FearLess 16 Day Challenge
FearLess is a charity working across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devon, whose primary aim is to break the cycle of abuse. It supports adults and children who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking.
The charity is encouraging people to join its 16 Day Challenge (from 25 November to 10 December), with the goal of each raising £160. Visit the FearLess website to find out more>
The Nelson Trust
The Nelson Trust is a charity which brings belief, hope and long-term recovery to people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction and the multiple and complex needs that come with it. It provides residential addiction treatment to men and women and supports women in the community who are in contact with the criminal justice system.
As well as holding a host of groups whose focus will be on domestic abuse throughout the 16 Days, the Trust will be starting a brand-new group called Pattern Changing, for women who have experienced an abusive relationship. Visit the Nelson Trust website for further information.
Support on offer in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
www.gdass.org.uk | 01452 726570 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (GRSAS)
www.glosrasac.org | 01452 526779
Stroud Women’s Refuge
www.stroudwomensrefuge.org | 01453 764385
The Men’s Advice Line
mensadviceline.org.uk | 0808 801 0327
Support for young people (under 16)
www.gdass.org.uk/support-for-young-people
Hope House Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Hope House Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) joins you in standing up, speaking out and saying NO to violence against women!
Hope House SARC is a service in Gloucestershire offering emotional and practical support as well as medical care to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse.
Clients are offered its services based on their individual needs and can choose to use as much or as little of the SARC’s service as they wish.
Clients can access Hope House SARC via the police and other professionals. Clients can also contact the SARC directly for confidential advice or to arrange an appointment without police involvement, by calling 0300 421 8400.
The SARC also offers information and support to friends and family, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To find out more visit the Hope House SARC website>
