16 Days of Action
TWO major Scottish charities are coming together to lead a campaign against domestic abuse.
Aberlour and Shelter Scotland will be hosting a roadshow of community events, featuring a touring exhibition of hard-hitting photography and ‘conversation cafes’ on the theme of violence against women. The stark imagery is designed to prompt discussion about the issue of domestic violence and raise awareness of where families in Glasgow can turn for help.
The events – planned as part of the international 16 Days of Action movement – will be hosted by the organisations, which run a joint service for victims of domestic abuse called The Bridges Partnership.
The project, based in Possilpark, helps women and children living in North-west Glasgow, flee from domestic abuse. Children’s charity Aberlour provides therapeutic and emotional support, while Shelter Scotland helps victims by offering independent advice and assistance in relation to their housing situation. They also work with partners including Glasgow Housing Association, to help families find safe places to live.
Domestic abuse is thought to be a growing problem in Scotland, with many more cases taking place than are reported.
- Police Scotland recorded 59, 882 such incidents in 2014-15
- 79% had a female victim and male perpetrator
- Police Scotland receive a domestic abuse related call every 10 minutes
- Domestic abuse is reported to be a factor in 75% of cases on the child protection register
- In 2015, NSPCC reported that 1 in 5 children across the UK have experienced domestic abuse by the time they are 18
Since the service launched in 2014, The Bridges Partnership (funded by the BIG Lottery Fund and the STV Appeal) has supported more than 150 women and their children.
The 16 Days of Action events, in conjunction with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, will be held in the following locations:
- Ashgill Recreational Centre in Milton between the 25th and 29th November
- Possilpoint Community Centre on 30th November and 5th December
- Lambhill Stables on 2nd December
- Cadder Community Centre on 6th December.
The service will also be hosting a participation event for pupils at John Paul Academy in Summerston, to highlight the issues of violence against women and girls to young people from across the Northwest of the city.
SallyAnn Kelly, Chief Executive of Aberlour, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to facilitate this series of events.
“We see the daily impact that violence against women and children has on families in our city, and we think this is a great opportunity to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds within our community to help improve the lives of women and children across Glasgow.”
Ruth Robin, Operations Manager at Shelter Scotland, said: “This is a hard-hitting campaign and we are very pleased to be part of it. Our team brings a wealth of experience to the project which is making a positive difference to all the women and children it supports.”
16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women is coordinated in Glasgow by Community Safety Glasgow Violence Against Women Team on behalf of the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership (GVAWP).
Between the 25th of November and the 10th of December organisations worldwide raise awareness of issues relating to violence against women.