16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2021
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end gender-based violence around the world.
The mission of the global campaign is:
- raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
- strengthening local work around violence against women
- establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
- providing a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies
- demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organising against violence against women
- creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women
Communities all over the world held events and raised their voices to tackle gender-based violence. In 2020, Barking and Dagenham reflected on the impacts of gender-based violence in the context of a global pandemic.
Every day throughout the 16 Days we invited you to join an online conversation with us. We posted a piece of learning or information about local services from different perspectives and you discussed your thoughts and feelings in this space.
If you or a friend is need of support, please see links to in the chats for information or head to https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end gender-based violence around the world.
The mission of the global campaign is:
- raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
- strengthening local work around violence against women
- establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
- providing a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies
- demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organising against violence against women
- creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women
Communities all over the world held events and raised their voices to tackle gender-based violence. In 2020, Barking and Dagenham reflected on the impacts of gender-based violence in the context of a global pandemic.
Every day throughout the 16 Days we invited you to join an online conversation with us. We posted a piece of learning or information about local services from different perspectives and you discussed your thoughts and feelings in this space.
If you or a friend is need of support, please see links to in the chats for information or head to https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence
Perspectives
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10th December- World Human Rights Day
over 4 years agoTo conclude the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence we are drawing attention to World Human Rights Day.
All forms of gender-based violence are human rights issues. Violence against women is a violation of women’s fundamental human rights:
- The right to life
- The right not to be tortured or treated in an inhuman and degrading way
- The right to respect for private and family life (including the right to physical and psychological integrity)
- The right not to be discriminated against
Thank you for taking part in the last 16 days. Sometimes it can feel lonely holding space for people... Continue reading
To conclude the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence we are drawing attention to World Human Rights Day.
All forms of gender-based violence are human rights issues. Violence against women is a violation of women’s fundamental human rights:
- The right to life
- The right not to be tortured or treated in an inhuman and degrading way
- The right to respect for private and family life (including the right to physical and psychological integrity)
- The right not to be discriminated against
Thank you for taking part in the last 16 days. Sometimes it can feel lonely holding space for people at their most vulnerable, but it has been good to reflect just how much support there is across the borough for residents experiencing gender-based violence.
It is imperative that we continue to work together to tackle gender-based violence in all its forms, and the only way we can do this is in partnership, giving space for learning, reflection, and activism.
We have shared lots of information over the last 16 Days. We would love to hear from you about what really jumped out at you, if you thought anything was missing, or just a reflection on the part you can play in the fight against gender-based violence in Barking and Dagenham.
Please post your comments below and let us know if you would like us to carry this conversation on using the platform to share information over time.
For support relating to gender-based violence please familiarise yourself with this link:
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9th December- Domestic Abuse in the Workplace
over 4 years agoFor Barking and Dagenham, more than a third of our staff also live in the borough. If we accept domestic abuse is a problem for our residents then it stands to reason that it can also impact our staff. 75% of women who experience domestic abuse are targeted at work from harassing phone calls and abusive partners arriving at the office unannounced, to physical assaults. In the context of homeworking and COVID 19, work may not offer the lifeline that it once did as people are trapped at home with their abusers.
Over the last 18 months we have undertaken... Continue reading
For Barking and Dagenham, more than a third of our staff also live in the borough. If we accept domestic abuse is a problem for our residents then it stands to reason that it can also impact our staff. 75% of women who experience domestic abuse are targeted at work from harassing phone calls and abusive partners arriving at the office unannounced, to physical assaults. In the context of homeworking and COVID 19, work may not offer the lifeline that it once did as people are trapped at home with their abusers.
Over the last 18 months we have undertaken considerable efforts to raise awareness of domestic abuse internally, refreshing our policies, providing mandatory managers training and ensuring access to specialist and non-specialist support. We are developing a small army of Domestic Abuse Ambassadors – workplace points of contact who volunteer their time to be part of the work to address domestic abuse across our systems.
This is something we take seriously and if you have a business in the borough and are interested in developing your own domestic abuse policy, we are happy to share our learning and support networks. The workplace can genuinely be a place of safety and support for people experiencing domestic abuse.
Does your workplace have a domestic abuse policy for employees?
Support and Resource Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Domestic Abuse Toolkit for Employers
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8th December- Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)
over 4 years agoThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) endorses DAHA as national best practice in the national Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy. In February 2022, the Council will be undertaking an accreditation assessment with DAHA to recognise the huge amount work undertaken over the last year. This includes a wide range of training offers for housing teams, awareness events and partnership working as well as scrutinising our systems and processes to ensure high standards are maintained for our residents who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Housing is, clearly, a massive factor towards ensuring safety of survivors and children... Continue reading
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) endorses DAHA as national best practice in the national Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy. In February 2022, the Council will be undertaking an accreditation assessment with DAHA to recognise the huge amount work undertaken over the last year. This includes a wide range of training offers for housing teams, awareness events and partnership working as well as scrutinising our systems and processes to ensure high standards are maintained for our residents who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Housing is, clearly, a massive factor towards ensuring safety of survivors and children. There is a national shortage in terms of refuge accommodation bed spaces and often women experiencing gender-based violence must flee across the country to escape those abusing them. For men, and/or LGBT+ people there is very little provision available across the country.
However, the national housing landscape means local authorities may not be able to fulfil their duties locally – and so this does not mean survivors are guaranteed help close to their existing support networks, friends and family.
In Barking and Dagenham, we are exploring ways to keep survivors safe in their own home, using sanctuary schemes to make homes safer with locks, alarms and in some cases CCTV. And in other cases, we are exploring whether it would be beneficial to encourage perpetrators to leave the home if it is part of intensive interventions to stop their abusive behaviour.
Housing can be a contentious issue at a time when there are national resource issues, and we invite you to share thoughts and reflections today as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
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7th December- LGBT+ Experiences of Abuse
over 4 years agoLGBT+ experiences are often missed out in the public narrative of violence and abuse but are no less harrowing.
Galop is the pan-London LGBT+ anti-violence organisation working around domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime. They run services for LGBT+ people via their Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Young People’s Services.
Galop has a Specialist Young People’s Service, which works with 13-25 year olds experiencing violence and abuse. As well as intimate partner abuse, grooming, CSE and ISVA work, the service offers a specialist service for LGBT+ children and children/young people experiencing honour-based abuse, family and community based abuse, child... Continue reading
LGBT+ experiences are often missed out in the public narrative of violence and abuse but are no less harrowing.
Galop is the pan-London LGBT+ anti-violence organisation working around domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime. They run services for LGBT+ people via their Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Young People’s Services.
Galop has a Specialist Young People’s Service, which works with 13-25 year olds experiencing violence and abuse. As well as intimate partner abuse, grooming, CSE and ISVA work, the service offers a specialist service for LGBT+ children and children/young people experiencing honour-based abuse, family and community based abuse, child abuse based on faith and belief, forced marriage, peer-on-peer abuse, and harassment, often linked to the young person’s sexuality or gender identity. The service has substantial experience of working with children/young people facing high risk and complex situations and is part of the CouRAGEus young people’s partnership and the Jigsaw LGBT+ partnership.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
LGBT+ Domestic Violence Library
Domestic Violence and Abuse, and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
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6th December- Young Women
over 4 years agoThere are a lot of myths surrounding sexual and domestic abuse among teenagers. 27% of teenage girls aged 13-17 have experienced sexual violence in their relationships according to data from Refuge our domestic abuse support service provider. We want to raise awareness of healthy relationships within the borough.
Refuge’s specialist Youth Advocates support young women to rebuild their lives following abuse, they can also signpost to other specialist services.
Arc Theatre run a project called raised voices to empower young women and talk about current issues affecting young women today.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
... Continue reading
There are a lot of myths surrounding sexual and domestic abuse among teenagers. 27% of teenage girls aged 13-17 have experienced sexual violence in their relationships according to data from Refuge our domestic abuse support service provider. We want to raise awareness of healthy relationships within the borough.
Refuge’s specialist Youth Advocates support young women to rebuild their lives following abuse, they can also signpost to other specialist services.
Arc Theatre run a project called raised voices to empower young women and talk about current issues affecting young women today.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
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5th December- International Volunteer Day
over 4 years agoToday is International Volunteer Day and a massive thank you to all our volunteers across the borough – you have been instrumental in being able to keep residents safe and looked after throughout the pandemic and beyond.
In relation to gender- based violence we wanted to welcome the new peer mentors who have recently been recruited into the local domestic and sexual violence service, delivered by Refuge.
The peer mentors will help break isolation; help build social networks and support survivors whilst they regain control of their lives. The peer mentors will be given several days of training and development... Continue reading
Today is International Volunteer Day and a massive thank you to all our volunteers across the borough – you have been instrumental in being able to keep residents safe and looked after throughout the pandemic and beyond.
In relation to gender- based violence we wanted to welcome the new peer mentors who have recently been recruited into the local domestic and sexual violence service, delivered by Refuge.
The peer mentors will help break isolation; help build social networks and support survivors whilst they regain control of their lives. The peer mentors will be given several days of training and development opportunities and we look forwards to linking them in with other volunteers across the borough.
Volunteers are often able to offer something that can be really valuable for those who have experienced gender-based violence: time. Time for a cup of tea, or to find solace in a shared experience, or joy in a new adventure.
Please join us in thanking a volunteer today or sharing a thought about volunteering in relation to gender-based violence, feel free to pop a note in the comments if you would like to volunteer.
Support links:
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4th December- Harmful Practices
over 4 years agoHarmful traditional practices are forms of violence which have been committed primarily against women and girls in certain communities and societies for so long that they are considered, or presented by perpetrators, as part of accepted cultural practice. The most common forms are:
- Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done
- Forced Marriage - A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage, and pressure or abuse is used to force them into marriage
- ... Continue reading
Harmful traditional practices are forms of violence which have been committed primarily against women and girls in certain communities and societies for so long that they are considered, or presented by perpetrators, as part of accepted cultural practice. The most common forms are:
- Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done
- Forced Marriage - A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage, and pressure or abuse is used to force them into marriage
- So called ‘Honour’ Based Violence is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families in order to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Perpetrators use violence when they perceive that a relative has shamed the family and/or community by breaking their honour code
Less common forms include breast ironing for example. It should be noted that harmful practices can occur across all different communities and is not confined to any single group. For example, we have seen forced marriage through our specialist service for Eastern European women (delivered by Refuge), and the Excel Women’s Centre in Barking sees women from diverse backgrounds who have experienced different types of harmful practices.
Kadeja was a young person who was forced into an arranged marriage watch her full story here:
Support Links:
Resources:
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3rd December- National Disability Day
over 4 years agoNational Disability Day is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Our local service DABD in Barking and Dagenham’s can assist people with
•Benefits & Financial Advice
•Support into Education, Skills & Employment
•Personal Care
•Accessible Transport
Did you know disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse compared to non-disabled women and are likely to experience the abuse for a longer period. Disabled people are more likely to... Continue reading
National Disability Day is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Our local service DABD in Barking and Dagenham’s can assist people with
•Benefits & Financial Advice
•Support into Education, Skills & Employment
•Personal Care
•Accessible Transport
Did you know disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse compared to non-disabled women and are likely to experience the abuse for a longer period. Disabled people are more likely to experience abuse from an adult family member compared to non-disabled people.
Were you aware of these statistics? Do they surprise you and what sort of barriers do you think disabled people might face trying to get support if they experience domestic abuse and/or sexual violence?
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
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2nd December- DV FLAG East
over 4 years agoDV FLAG East were set up in 2019 as a response to inconsistent access to quality legal advice for families experiencing domestic abuse in Barking and Dagenham. It brings together the knowledge and experience of a committed council legal team, charity Citizen’s Advice Barking and Dagenham, local Law Society accredited family law firms, the police, Community Solutions and LBBD commissioned Domestic Abuse services to improve access to free pro bono and legal aid advice and to develop best practice pro bono approach for those who cannot access legal aid.
The work is genuinely innovative and has attracted a lot of... Continue reading
DV FLAG East were set up in 2019 as a response to inconsistent access to quality legal advice for families experiencing domestic abuse in Barking and Dagenham. It brings together the knowledge and experience of a committed council legal team, charity Citizen’s Advice Barking and Dagenham, local Law Society accredited family law firms, the police, Community Solutions and LBBD commissioned Domestic Abuse services to improve access to free pro bono and legal aid advice and to develop best practice pro bono approach for those who cannot access legal aid.
The work is genuinely innovative and has attracted a lot of interest.
Barking and Dagenham legal team won the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards - Best Contribution by an In-House Team and were highly commended for the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards - Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership in December 2020.
The historic Domestic Abuse Act 2021 extends the definition of abuse to include economic, psychological, emotional and other abuse of victims including children. Need free legal domestic abuse advice from expert local solicitors? Email dvflageast@bdcab.org.uk or call our at Citizens Advice Barking & Dagenham 020 8 020 8507 5994.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
VIDEO: Domestic abuse injunctions in the family court
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1st December- Tackling the cause of domestic abuse
over 4 years agoThere is no doubt that the women’s sector and domestic abuse sector has pushed forwards massive change over previous decades and there will always be a need for quality specialist services to assist survivors of domestic abuse. But victim/survivors are not to blame for the abuse they face, the cause sits squarely with the person perpetrating it.
In Barking and Dagenham, we have progressed significantly over the last 12 months. Initially through the LBBD Domestic and Sexual Violence Service we commissioned targeted perpetrator work alongside Refuge. As COVID restrictions first came in we noticed increased calls to the Respect Helpline... Continue reading
There is no doubt that the women’s sector and domestic abuse sector has pushed forwards massive change over previous decades and there will always be a need for quality specialist services to assist survivors of domestic abuse. But victim/survivors are not to blame for the abuse they face, the cause sits squarely with the person perpetrating it.
In Barking and Dagenham, we have progressed significantly over the last 12 months. Initially through the LBBD Domestic and Sexual Violence Service we commissioned targeted perpetrator work alongside Refuge. As COVID restrictions first came in we noticed increased calls to the Respect Helpline at a similar rate to survivor helplines, and we had men perpetrators wanting to engage and professionals calling out for support. Cranstoun came to the borough in May 2020 and started delivering their Men and Masculinities course to great success and within the first quarter of delivery have filled their programmes.
People who choose to use abusive behaviours can also choose to stop, and there is support available to assist with changing behaviour (support links in the first comment).
Do you think that working with perpetrators is important when addressing domestic abuse – do you think it can be effective?
Support links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
Mirabel Report – Steps Towards Change
Key Dates
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30 November 2021
Who's Listening
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