Borderers are being asked to play their part in helping to tackle violence against women during the annual #16DaysofAction against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
This year it's being held between Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December.
The #16DaysofAction is a world-wide movement, founded in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute, which begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until International Human Rights Day.
In Scotland, it remains the case that women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence, mainly committed against them by men. Men are also victims of domestic abuse, but at least four out of five incidents recorded by police have a female victim and a male accused.
Women also report feeling eight times more likely to worry about being sexually assaulted and the victim of a crime generally, which makes them less likely to access places and participate in their communities.
Experiencing violence against women and girls can also cause long-term trauma leading to poor mental health and the risk of having multiple mental health needs. This can impact on physical health and wellbeing as well access to education and employment opportunities.
It is also the case that a high proportion of women are known to experience financial abuse as an aspect of coercive control, as well as a high risk of poverty and greater economic inequality generally.
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Portfolio Holder for Social Work and Inclusion
“The need for us to show our support for the #16DaysofAction campaign remains as important as ever, with the scale and prevalence of violence against women and girls continuing to be an issue and demand for specialist services high.
“I would urge us all to take responsibility, both individually and collectively, to do whatever we can to show our support. From taking part in a march to finding ways to make sure we’re far better informed about the impact of the issue in our local communities, every action helps.
“I would also like to remind anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse that they’re not alone. There are people you can talk to who are there to listen with the advice and information you need. If it’s a family member or friend you’re worried about, support is also available to help you with your concerns.
“You’ll get all the information you need on the Council’s website. This includes contact details for our Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service and a range of other organisations like the National Domestic Helpline which is available 24-hours on 0800 027 1234. In an emergency, you should always call 999.”
Advice and support is available
Our Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support Service (DAAS) provides support for any adult who has experienced or is experiencing domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders. The service is free and confidential and aims to help people recover from the impact of living with domestic abuse, including working with survivors to improve safety, reduce the risk of further harm and find the best solutions to stay safe.
For more information about DAAS and the other support that is available, visit the domestic abuse support pages of our website. DAAS can also be contacted on 01835 825024 or at: daas@scotborders.gov.uk.
More information
- Other events held to support #16DaysofAction include Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre’s Reclaim the Night March taking place in Hawick on the evening of 27 November. Anyone looking to take part should meet at 6pm at Cornucopia, 4 Tower Dykeside to march at 6.30pm.
- Nationally, the campaign is being supported by the local government Improvement Service through their 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence guidelines and publicity materials.
- Internationally, the event is supported by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute and is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. More information is available on the 16daysofaction.co.uk website.