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The 16-day period will start with a march on Tuesday 25 November organised by The Soroptimists of North Somerset.
The march will set off at 11am from Weston-super-Mare Train Station before arriving at Grove Park, where an orange ribbon-tie event and poetry readings will take place.
Following the ribbon tie event on 25 November, refreshments will also be available at Next Link, a North Somerset Council-commissioned service tackling domestic abuse and providing support to victims and their families.
As well as a host of training and awareness sessions also taking place during the week, North Somerset’s Silica monument will be lit up orange - the official colour for the UN International End VAWG day of 25th Nov.
Local residents are encouraged to share and support UN Women’s campaign “No Excuse”, which this year is focusing on online abuse.
In a bid to raise awareness of the dangers and warning signs of domestic and online abuse, local and national organisations and partnerships including Next Link, Baranado’s - Safer Futures, Holly’s Hope, The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership and Galop are providing free learning and awareness sessions in person and online.
- Wednesday 26 November: Lunch and Learn session - Stalking and Domestic Abuse. In-person event organised by Next Link). Book via Eventbrite.
- Thursday 27 November: Online webinar for professionals – Identify domestic abuse and how to safely ask someone about domestic abuse (Provided by The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership). Book via Eventbrite.
- Thursday 2nd December: lunch and Learn session - Why we don’t ask “why don’t you just leave”. (In person event Delivered by Next Link). Book via Eventbrite.
- Tuesday 2nd December: Free “express version” Bystander Intervention Training (Online training provided by Together Against Sexism). Book via Eventbrite.
- Wednesday 3rd December: Identifying and responding to teenagers who experience coercive control (Online event provided by Barnardo’s – Safer Futures in partnership with Hollys Hope and in memory of Holly Newton). Book via Eventbrite.
- Wednesday 10th December: Empowering young voices: learning from their experiences of domestic abuse (Online event Provided by The Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership). Book via Eventbrite.
- Wednesday 10th December - LGBTQI Experiences of Domestic Abuse. As part of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. (Online event by m Galop). Book via Eventbrite.
Gender-based violence and online abuse – the facts
- 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime
- 16 – 58% of women and girls face digital violence
- 90 – 95% of deepfake videos are sexual images of women
Cllr Mike Solomon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for community safety at North Somerset Council said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has come together to raise awareness of such an important issue that often takes place behind closed doors or screens. It’s crucial to recognise the very real harm that women and girls face through harassment, abuse and control online and in person. We’re pleased to shine a light on the “No Excuse” campaign as part of UN Women’s International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls and in particular – highlight how technology is being weaponised to stigmatise, shame and silence women. We also thank The Soroptomists of North Somerset for organising the event in Grove Park and for their unwavering annual dedication to local advocacy.
“With misogynistic content on the rise, toxic ideas about women and girls are shaping how women and girls are seen and treated. It’s heartening to see local and regional efforts to not only support victims of abuse, but to educate others, to empower victims and to challenge harmful stereotypes.”
For anyone in need of support, advice or urgent accommodation in North Somerset, contact Context Next Link (Bristol and North Somerset) on 0800 4700 280 Mon to Fri 8.30am–5.30pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm.