16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Hands together

Ending gender-based violence

16 Days of Activism: It's not just black eyes and bruises

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign which raises awareness of and calls for the elimination of violence against women and girls. The campaign runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Over the course of the next 16 days, join us for contributions from the survivors of domestic abuse and the services that support them. We will reveal a new video and a number of related resources each day in the '16 days of activism starts here' section below to inspire you to learn, reflect and take action to end violence against women.

It's not just black eyes and bruises

Domestic abuse does not discriminate in terms of the individual nor the form it may take.

In the year ending March 2022, calls to the national domestic abuse helpline for those reporting the type of abuse they experienced revealed:

  • 82% experienced psychological or emotional abuse​
  • 74% experienced controlling behaviour​
  • 56% experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour

Each year, nearly 2 million people in the UK suffer some form of domestic abuse. It is reported that 1 in 3 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Within the church context, it has been indicated that on average, individuals will experience domestic abuse within their relationship for a period of 6 years.

The figures, taken from diocesan self-assessment key safeguarding data, show that reports of domestic abuse rose from 217 in 2019 to 297 in 2021; 21% of all reported safeguarding concerns relating to adults have been directly related to domestic abuse over the three-year period. In 2020 and 2021 domestic abuse was the most common reason for a safeguarding referral to be made to a diocesan safeguarding adviser about an adult.

You are not alone

Support services are available both locally and nationally to support both individuals and families that have experienced domestic abuse. And if you are immediate danger, please call 999.

16 days of activism starts here