Stop violence against women week
Stop Violence Against Women Week aims to tackle society’s attitude towards the issue and raise awareness of the help available to victims.
From November 23rd to November 27th Bristol will host a range of activities highlighting the violence and abuse inflicted on women both in and out of relationships including victims of rape and violence towards street sex workers.It will also focus on the work that Safer Bristol, the partnership of agencies working together to make the city safer, does on a day-to-day basis to increase the understanding of the problem within society, help victims and rehabilitate offenders.
Violence against women takes many forms. Across the UK on average, two women are killed every week in domestic violence incidents. Domestic violence and abuse is the misuse of physical, emotional, sexual or financial control by one person over another and a major part of the range of issues that constitute violence against women. In Bristol one in four women will be victims at some point in their life.
Lesley Welch, Safer Bristol Domestic Abuse Strategy Co-ordinator said: “Stop Violence Against Women Week will show that Safer Bristol, along with its partners, is committed to supporting local women who are subjected to, and affected by, violence – and not just domestic violence, but any violence – be it by a family member, friend or complete stranger. We can prevent violence against women by raising awareness of the issues, tackling society’s tolerant attitude, encouraging perpetrators to address their behaviour and informing and educating women on how they can access the support and advice on offer. The aim of the week, and the on-going work of Safer Bristol, is to ultimately prevent violence and to reduce the harm that violence to women has on individuals, families and communities, and show Bristol that we are tackling this head-on.”
Chief Inspector Dave McCallum said, “The average victim of domestic violence is attacked 35 times before they contact the police. We want to raise people’s awareness about what constitutes domestic abuse and let people know what powers police have and what we can do to stop it.
Hopefully this will give women, who are victims of domestic abuse and other forms of violence such as rape, the confidence to report it to the police. There is no need to suffer in silence.”
Launching the week will be the Bristol Feminist Network who will unveil their contribution – a 58ft by 8ft mural on Jamaica Street emblazoned with the National Domestic Violence Helpline number. Women from the Bristol Fawcett Society and the Bristol Feminist Network will be painting the artwork on Sunday 22nd November.
Wednesday 25th November is a pivotal date within the week and marks the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Next Link, a charity helping women and children victims of domestic violence and abuse in Bristol, will stage its annual candlelit procession to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Police will be outside the Council House giving out advice and aids to help keep women safe.
The walk starts at Next Link at 4.30 pm in Queen Square and ends at the Council House where two large candles will be lit, symbolic of the two women who die each week in the UK at the hands of domestic violence.
Throughout the week One25, an advice and support organisation for street sex workers in Bristol, is holding events to encourage women to refuse to normalise physical and sexual abuse. The events, which will be held in their drop-in centre, will include talks from police officers, workshops on building self-esteem workshops, group counselling sessions and creative writing sessions for the street sex workers.
Hard-hitting poster campaigns will take place throughout the week by various agencies targeting different types of violence. The Somali Development Group will be distributing posters showing the help available to victims of female genital mutilation. Bristol City Council will also be distributing leaflets to landlords explaining how to spot domestic violence and what steps to take if their tenant is a victim.
During the week free Fear Adrenal Stress Training (FAST) sessions are being run at Red Maids School. The self defence session are being run with the senior girls in the school to give them the vital skills such as how to diffuse violent situations and to defend themselves if attacked.
Avon and Somerset Probation offers courses aimed specifically at offenders with a history of committing violence against women to help them address their behaviour. Throughout the week events will raise awareness of the courses and aim to change perpetrators’ attitudes.
One major issue when dealing with incidents of violence against women is the lack of understanding and the stigma associated with the issue. The ‘Hitting Where It Hurts: the hidden costs of domestic violence and abuse’ conference which takes place at Engineers House, Clifton, on Friday 27th November will aim to reach key decision makers in Bristol and encourage working towards preventing the problem altogether.
£49 million a year is spent in Bristol tackling domestic violence and abuse. The conference, organised by Safer Bristol and Bristol NHS Trust will also analyse this spending and discuss ways in which financial support can be distributed more effectively.
Councillor Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Violence against women is widespread. It doesn’t just happen in relationships but can happen to any women, anywhere. Safer Bristol, the council, the Police, Probation, CPS and all of the other agencies involved will not tolerate abuse of any kind and everything will be done to help victims. Domestic violence can affect many generations of families and result in lives plagued by misery. We are working together to break this damaging chain.”
