What is 16 Days of Activism campaign?
The international 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for an end to gender-based violence, commonly known as ‘violence against women and girls’.
During this 16-day period, White Ribbon Day takes place to promote male allyship with women and girls, while the UN UNiTE campaign, ‘Orange the World’ symbolises a brighter future free of violence and abuse.
This campaign period, over 50 organisations that form the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (DA & VAWG) Partnership will collaborate to raise awareness of the services available for those experiencing harmful or abusive behaviours.
The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-25 outlines the Partnership’s key priorities for creating lasting change, with a strong focus on engagement and prevention to ensure that Hertfordshire is a safe place for all individuals and families.
What is violence against women and girls?
The term is used to describe a range of harmful or abusive behaviours that disproportionately affect women and girls, including:
- Stalking & harassment
- Rape & other sexual offences
- Domestic abuse
- Honour-based abuse
- Revenge porn.
These behaviours can affect anyone and should always be taken seriously.
How to get involved
- Educate yourself about domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. This website, enough.campaign.gov.uk, and www.whiteribbon.org.uk are great places to start.
- Know how to spot the signs of abuse of harmful behaviours.
- Listen to and believe victims and survivors.
- Know where to signpost victims and survivors for support. Using this website and the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline (08 088 088 088) are great first steps.
- Learn how to stand up for victims and survivors of abuse, including bullying and street harassment, via the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s free Stand Up Against Harassment training.
- Make the White Ribbon promise ‘to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence towards women’ and wear your white ribbon proudly. By doing so, you’re becoming part of a wider movement to end violence and promote a culture of equality and respect.
- Even better, become a White Ribbon Ambassador or Champion, and be the change you want to see.
- Show support for 16 Days of Activism initiatives happening in your community, to let others know that there’s #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls. See our Events Calendar for the Public (PDF 314KB) and Events Calendar for Professionals (PDF 410KB) for fun, informative and thought-provoking events across Hertfordshire.
Feel free to share your own messages of allyship and support via social media, using the 16 Days of Activism and White Ribbon Day 2024 hashtags:
#NoExcuse
#ItStartsWithMen
Support, information and advice
If you or someone you know is subjected to harmful or abusive behaviour, you can find further information, advice and signposting to local support on Herts Sunflower.
Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline
An anonymous and confidential listening, support and signposting service for anyone who is or has been affected by domestic abuse. It’s free and won’t show up on your phone records.
08 088 088 088
Monday - Friday, 9am-9pm
Saturday - Sunday, 9am-4pm
Calls outside these times are redirected to the national helpline.
Or email Kim@mailpurple.org confidently, anytime.
Support for men & boys
Mankind - male victims of domestic abuse
Respect - domestic abuse helpline for men
Future Living - Wise Guys programme for male victims of domestic violence and abuse
Support for children, teenagers and young adults
Childline - advice online, on the phone, anytime
Support for LGBTQ+ people
Galop - the LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity
If you need any of these documents in a different format, please contact Strategic.Partnership@Hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Are you a professional? Download our 16 Days of Activism toolkit (.zip 13MB)