This year SI Richmond and Dales is taking part in the annual UN Campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign runs from 25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to 10th December – International Human Rights Day, with the slogan for the campaign is “Orange the World“. We are raising awareness of these issues with a campaign to “Orange Richmond”. We have persuaded over 50 businesses across the town centre to display posters we have designed and provided, together with flyers for customers to take away. The club is holding an Orange themed Coffee Morning on 25th November, and meeting for an Orange Cafe session at Morro Lounge, Richmond at 10:30 on 10th December. We will also be decorating a 16 Days of Activism themed Christmas Tree in Richmond Methodist Church from 1st December, as part of their annual charity Christmas Tree display.
Gender based violence may be experienced by anyone, but is predominantly suffered by women and girls. It is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. Sadly it remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. It occurs in many forms, such as:
• partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide)
• sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
• human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation)
• female genital mutilation
• child marriage
If you or someone you know is suffering, or has suffered abuse or violence, there are people who can help. For help, advice or more information, contact one of the following:
Independent Domestic Abuse Services: https://idas.org.uk/contact/
EVA Women’s Aid https://evawomensaid.org.uk/
Family Help Darlington https://www.familyhelp.org.uk/
Unseen UK https://www.unseenuk.org/
SIYAMS: Soroptimist International of Yorkshire Against Modern Slavery https://sigbi.org/yorkshire/si-yorkshire-anti-slavery-group-overview/
One of our new members has written the following evocative poem inspired by the campaign:
Is it time
He’s jealous, possessive
and tries to control me
He makes me feel guilty
And thinks that he owns me
He takes my money
And judges my clothes
He threatens to leave
If I don’t do as I’m told
He teases and bullies
And slaps me around
Makes me cry and afraid
and throws me to the ground
He hates my family
And I can’t see my friends
I feel so alone
How will this all end?
Deep inside
I know this is wrong
I must take ownership
I must be strong
I need to get out
I must go somewhere
But what about money
Support and childcare
We love you and can help
You are not alone
There is support for you
Just pick up the phone…