Marischal College lit up orange on Friday as part of an international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and children.
The 16 Days of Action campaign runs every year from International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November to International Human Rights Day on December 10 and aims to highlight the connection between human rights and domestic violence.
The campaign calls on increasing women’s safety, highlighting the nature and prevalence of domestic violence, showing solidarity among women around the world, and strengthening local work to tackle violence against women.
- Violence against women includes but is not limited to:
- physical, sexual and psychological violence in the family and general community;
- Sexual harassment and intimation at work and in the public sphere;
- Sexual exploitation, and;
- Dowry-related violence.
Aberdeen’s Violence Against Women Partnership are this year focused on training staff on how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and encouraging prominent male figures in Aberdeen to share the message of #whatnext.
A talk was held on Friday for students at Robert Gordon University featuring domestic abuse survivor Ryan Hart, whose mother and sister were killed in 2016.
Friday evening also saw members of Aberdeen Violence Against Women Partnership support the Reclaim the Night march, organised by Aberdeen Women’s Alliance in memory of Jill Barclay.
The campaign will include a Women’s Fair held by Aberdeen Violence Against Women Partnership at Pittodrie Stadium on 29 and 30 November, where attendees can participate in free Zumba and yoga classes, nail painting, workshops and can access advice and support.
Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “We are committed to the elimination of violence against women and girls and to help those who have been a victim of domestic violence.
“The 16 Days of Action campaign allows us to highlight the amazing work that charities are doing to help women, and to call on everyone to play their part in tackling violence against women.”
Aileen Forbes, Manager of Grampian Women’s Aid and Co-Chair of Aberdeen’s Violence Against Women Partnership, said: “A Co-Chair of AVAWP and Manager of Grampian Women’s Aid, we are proud to be a part of these activities planned during 16 Days of Action, raising awareness of gender inequality and to continue the campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls.
“We commit as part of our #whatnext to continuing to campaign for better practices within society to shift these expectations away from victims and hold perpetrators accountable for their behavioural choices to perpetrate domestic abuse instead.”
Some of the main contact numbers are listed below, more details can be found here.
Police Scotland
If you are in danger and it is an emergency, call 999. For non-emergencies call 101.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Free and confidential advice. Open to all. 24 hours a day.
Telephone: 0800 027 1234. Website: sdafmh.org.uk
Grampian Women’s Aid
Telephone: 01224 593381. Website: grampian-womens-aid.com
Rape Crisis Grampian
Telephone: 01224 590932. Website: rapecrisisgrampian.co.uk