16 Days of Action
The UN campaign 16 Days of Action runs from 25th November to the 10th of December.
The full name of the campaign is 16 Days of Action on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. It is a global phenomenon and is planned to culminate on the 10th December, which is Human Rights Day. RISE is spearheading a number of local events to both inform and entertain.
This 16 Days we offer you 16 points of action to help shape your action here in Brighton & Hove.
Read more about RISE click HERE
1. Sign the pledge and wear the Ribbon
White Ribbon Pledge
I pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men's violence against women in all its forms.
If you can host a collecting box and be a sales point for Ribbons during this period please contact us.
2. Get informed
Visit the RISE Living Library at Jubilee Library on 26th November and Lewes Library on 3rd December Borrow a Living Book and hear direct from survivors and frontline workers about the impact of abuse and violence, and the support available
3. Go to the pictures
Two specialist screenings at the Dukes at Komedia will give you an additional layer of insight into how violence against women and girls manifests in our society.
Gaslight – Monday 30th November
The Color Purple – Sunday 6th December
4. Have a laugh
The award winning Charity Chuckle hosts Stand Up to Violence Against Women at the Komedia on Tuesday 8th December. Top notch comedy raising money for RISE and Survivors Network.
5. Read a book and write a blog
In February the world thought about what consent meant in relation to Mr Grey. The Consent in the City Campaign was launched to collect examples of where literature had excelled at promoting active meaningful consent. Let us know your examples at @BtnConsent
6. Learn together to safeguard the city.
Statistics show us that all services in the city will deal with survivors of intimate violence and trauma. Friends and relations often point first to the statutory services to provide immediate help and crisis care. Find out how to respond to disclosures and the statutory services responses through these specialist training days here.
7. Engage your school or universities
As a pupil, as a parent, as a governor as a teacher we know that education gives us the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate our own beliefs and prejudices. This #16Days let’s bring the consent and relationships debate to every classroom, teacher and pupil. I heart consent campaign
8. Get creative
You would be in excellent company, there are so many writers and activists who express themselves through craft and art. This positive self-esteem boosting way of raising awareness can be social or solo but it’s often thoughtful and compassionate. Check out Survivors Knitwork for ideas
9. Start a conversation in your churches and faith groups.
The biggest barrier for survivors in seeking help is the shame, secrecy and victim blaming that surround violence against women and girls. Every conversation that you start makes it easier for survivors to reach out for help. Resources for use in churches can be found here.
10. Make a donation
In the age of austerity, with cuts to services getting bigger all the time, more than ever our specialist services need the support of their communities. Donate to RISE here.
11. Work place mobilisation
We spend a huge amount of time at our workplace. Their culture shapes our lives and attitudes. Work can be a place of safety for survivors of domestic abuse but it can also increase their risk of serious harm. Can your workplace take on the #16Days challenge to ensure that it offers survivors the resources they need to stay safe? 16 Days Challenge
12. Make a complaint
Never underestimate the power of a well-placed complaint. With victim blaming rife in our traditional and media, advertising and entertainment industries #16Days might just be the time to let an editor know what you think.
13. Hold a fundraiser
There are so many ways to raise money for your specialist service this #16Days follow your passions, sponsor it, share it and raise essential funds for people affected by abuse and violence. See our fundraising page for more ideas.
14. Review the Policies and share your thoughts with your decision makers
It’s everyone’s responsibility to tackle violence against women and girls. Each year our national government publishes their updated action plan on tackling violence against women and girls. It’s available from the Home Office website. Read it, think about it and then let your MP know what you think.
15. Elected local officials
It’s not just national politicians with a responsibility to help us end VAWG. Ask your councillors and the important Police and Crime Commissioner how they intend to protect vital specialist services, prevent violence against women and girls and make our communities safer.
16. Take to social media
Share your thoughts and opinions on twitter, join the global discussion for how to prevent VAWG by following the UN Women accounts and those of the leading national services for women. There are always excellent resources, information and debates being had via social media during 16Days. Use hashtags #16days and #Brighton. Together let’s raise our voices and break the silence on violence against women and girls.
