Violence against women and girls is rooted in beliefs and norms that are so present in our world that it can be hard to see it.
From the different standards applied to the ways women and men dress and behave, to the different values given to our work, from mansplaining to murder, there is a connection between the ways women, both individually and as a class, are put down, held back, judged, limited, and controlled.
Domestic abuse is part of this too. The United Nations offers a definition as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It may or may not involve physical violence.
We all have the right to live freely, safely and joyfully, making our own choices about all areas of our lives.
The data is clear.
UN stats tell us that, worldwide:
- Around 1 in 3 women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner sexual violence or both.
- More than 1 in 4 women aged 15–49 years who have been in a relationship have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner at least once in their lifetime.
In the UK:
- 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse.
- The police recorded 1,500,369 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in England and Wales in the year 2021/22.
- A woman is killed by a man around every 2.5 days. In 2021, over half of these women (53%) women were killed by a current or former intimate partner. 52% of those killed were taking steps towards leaving, or had left, the relationship.
In Brighton and Hove, in 2021/22:
- 5,487 domestic violence incidents and crimes were recorded by the police, of which 3,299 were crimes. Source
- 88% of the perpetrators were male Source
- 45% of 14–16-year-olds who had ever had a relationship said that they had experienced a problem behaviour in their relationship.
Through the 16 days, we will be sharing feedback from clients on our work togethers, statistics about our work, and other information about abuse and violence.
On Tuesday the 26th November, or CEO Jo will attend an Economic Abuse Awareness Day reception hosted by Matthew Patrick MP on behalf of Surviving Economic Abuse, with speeches including one by Minister Jess Phillips.
From Friday the 29th November to Friday 6th December, we will have a 'RISE in the Community' display in the Foyer Brighton Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton entitled - free entry.
We'll also be providing a learning session for Brighton and Hove Council Staff on Economic Abuse with Surviving Economic Abuse on the 26th, and supporting and attending Survivors Network Reclaim The Night March on Saturday the 29th November (details on Instagram and Facebook)
If you are in Brighton, Hove or Sussex and you think you might need support around domestic abuse, we're here and we will believe you. No question is too too small. Contact us.
If you are elsewhere in England the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24/7
If you are in danger now call 999
What we do
- In the year 2022/23 we supported 1357 people - 1156 adults and 201 children.
- In the year 2023/24 we supported 1180 clients - 1015 adults and 165 children
If you want to stand alongside our charity against abuse, there is a lot you can do.
Cash donations are vital for our charity as they give us the most flexible support - they can help bridge funding gaps for our vital services, and allow us to respond to emergencies or unexpected situations.
You could also host an event, fundraise for us once or ongoing, connect us to your school, business or organisation, buy present for children at Christmas, or even commit sharing our posts on social media throughout these 16 days, and then after every week or month - everyone can do something.
There is #NoExcuse for gender-based violence this November, this December or ever. We have a vision of a world free from abuse and violence and we work towards it every day. Be part of it with us.
