Coventry is supporting a campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse where people affected can find help.
The Council and Coventry Domestic Abuse Services are marking 16 Days of Action from 25 November to 10 December.
Ahead of the week, on Saturday 23 November 9am-5pm with speeches between 11-2pm in Smithford Way, Coventry City Centre, a vigil is being held in Coventry reflecting on people who have died as a result of this kind of abuse. Dozens of shoes will be poignantly displayed to represent lives lost.
A number of organisations and communities are involved to come together to raise awareness of the reality of domestic abuse and call for positive change to increase women's (and men's) safety.
On Monday 25 November White Ribbon Day aims to engage with men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing the root causes of men’s violence against women: harmful attitudes, behaviours and systems around rigid gender norms and harmful expressions of masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and gender-based violence.
All victims in Coventry and professionals can call the Safe to Talk helpline on 0800 111 4998 for independent and confidential advice and support about domestic abuse - or visit the Safe to Talk website for further information.
Domestic abuse services in Coventry includes Valley House, Panahghar, Coventry Haven Women’s Aid, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, and Relate (Coventry and Warwickshire).
There is also a programme to jointly support children affected by domestic abuse called Choose2Change, for those concerned that their behaviour is hurting someone they love.
Scores of organisations across Coventry are expected to take part in a range of ways, from holding ‘wear orange’ days, orange lunches, turning their websites and social media channels orange, lighting their buildings orange, flying orange flags, sharing key messages about the campaign with staff, customers and service users, and much more.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Police and Crime Board said:
“All agencies are aware of the impact of domestic abuse both on victims and their families. It’s essential that we keep reminding people where they can get confidential help and support.
“It is clearly still a problem, and we need to do all we can to remove any barriers which prevent some communities from seeking help.
“All of us need to be vigilant. We need to help understand domestic abuse including violence in all its forms and support victims to bring these crimes out into the open.”
Chief Executive, LJ Winterburn at Valley House, said:
“We stand united with all local, national and international partners in supporting the 16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence – raising awareness and a call to action to end violence against women and girls.
“We are committed to providing safe and supported accommodation for women and their children that are forced to flee their home due to gender-based violence.
Alongside our partners across Coventry we will be supporting this campaign, continuing to fight for change.”
The Council is keen to keep the message that ‘Domestic Abuse is Everybody’s Business’ at the forefront of conversation. During the 16 days some parts of the city centre, including the Whittle Arch and Broadgate will be lit orange (orange for a brighter future), to mark the campaign, as well as encouraging employers across the city to ask their workforces to wear orange to show support.
Domestic abuse can take a wide range of forms including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and so-called ‘honour-based’ abuse.
For further details visit the 16 Days of Action website.
16 Days of Action was conceived by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership, the theme domestic abuse is everybody’s business continues. The movement started in 1991 and since then 167 groups in 187 countries have contributed to promoting and supporting these 16 Days, including Amnesty International and World Health Organisation, as well as far more local, grassroots projects.