16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence campaign

The Council is once again supporting the United Nation’s 16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence campaign.

The global campaign begins on 25 November, which also marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

Each year the campaign is supported by the Council and Empowered, the multi-agency partnership of services in East Dunbartonshire which work to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

A UN report estimates that 1 in 3 women aged 15 or older around the world have been subjected to physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. However, these figures would be even higher if they included the full types of violence that affect women and girls such as harassment and online abuse.

The Council will be lighting up the the Community Hubs in Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs, as well as Milngavie Town Hall, in orange on 25 November to raise awareness of the 16 Days campaign and to encourage residents to learn more about the efforts being made to eliminate gender based violence.

There are also a variety of events aimed at employees of the Council, local practitioners and the wider public.

Day of Action	Whats on Locally	What’s on Nationally
Saturday 25 November	Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls. The Kirkintilloch Branch will be in the Regent Shopping Centre in Kirkintilloch on Saturday 25th November from 10 till 4 holding a book sale to raise funds for East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid. They will also have an ‘orange cafe’ within the Regent Centre cafe. This is to publicise the 16 days of action with orange balloons and ribbons and crocheting. Kirkintilloch William Patrick Library to display a selection of books relating to the 16 days of Action, this display will be available for reference throughout the 16 days. List of books on display are: Fiction A colour purple by Alice Walker Blue-eyed devil by Kleypas, Lisa Worth dying for by Child, Lee Complicit Li, by Winnie M. Non-Fiction Daily wisdom for Why does he do that? encouragement for women involved with angry and controlling men / Lundy Bancroft. Never again: moving on from narcissistic abuse and other toxic relationships / Sarah Davies Get out, get love: what everyone should know in, and after, abusive relationships / Craig Newman. Women we buried, women we burned: a memoir Snyder, Rachel Louise Snatched: my true story of survival: trapped by a woman to be sold to men / Elizabeth Harper with Veronica Clark. What my bones know: a memoir of healing from complex trauma by Foo, Stephanie Enough: the violence against women and how to end it by Johnson, Harriet Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders by Miles, Kathryn Fix the system, not the women / Laura Bates Perversion of justice: the Jeffrey Epstein story / Julie K. Brown. Liar liar : breaking the silence on sexual assault / Laurie Katz.	International Elimination of Violence against Woman Day
Monday 27 November		Conference: Imagine Dumfries and Galloway without VAW Dumfries, 9.30am - 1.30pm Dumfries and Galloway will showcase various approaches to Gender-Based Violence prevention that apply to young people. Booking link for Imagine Dumfries and Galloway without VAW Reclaim the Night March: Dundee Dundee City Square, 6.30pm Public event and march aiming to bring awareness to the issues surrounding gender inequality and violence, and to encourage solidarity and support. Booking link for Reclaim the Night March Dundee
Tuesday 28 November		Event: Imagine a Scotland without Commercial Sexual Exploitation Kilmarnock, 9am-4pm Pan -Ayrshire Practitioner Event focused on CSE. Invitation only.
Wednesday 29 November	The Domestic Abuse MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference). Woman’s Aid having drop in sessions	Webinar: Exiting and women who sell or exchange sex in Scotland 11am-1pm This month we are holding a free webinar exploring the needs of women who sell or exchange sex when they choose to exit the ‘sex industry.’ Many women want to stop selling or exchanging sex. This can be motivated by crisis events or the accumulation of negative life events. Positive events such as family support or wanted pregnancy can also serve as routes out. It is important for services to understand the process of exiting and be able to provide holistic and coordinated interventions for women. This webinar is an introductory session and not intended as a comprehensive training session. Register for free here. Event: Sexual Harassment – The Truth Perth, 10am-12pm This event will explore the reality of sexual violence experienced by women and girls in the UK, the impact this has on survivors and the role we all play in ending violence against women and girls. Booking link for Sexual Harrassment - The Truth
Thursday 30 November	Event in association with RAWS Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland. Thursday 30th November from 1pm to 4pm Kirkintilloch Town Hall, Union Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1DH As places are limited, pre-booking is essential. Please email roseann.mccabe@eastdunbarton.gov.uk to secure your place. We will hear from representatives of RAWS (Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland), a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. RAWS campaigns to raise awareness of the ordinary women & men who were accused of witchcraft during a dark period of Scottish history. They will speak about women who were persecuted, prosecuted and murdered in excessively large numbers in Scottish history, including facts about 4 locally accused women.	Thursday 30 November Workshop: Exploring a Public Health Approach to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Online, 10am-12pm Public Health Scotland, Improvement Service and Zero Tolerance are hosting a joint session to promote awareness of a public health approach to ending VAWG and develop an understanding of local areas’ capacity across the four steps of a public health approach. Invite only for members of the National VAW Network and GBV Health Network.
Monday 4 December	Rosey Project in association with Rape Crisis present Reassess the Press in Bishopbriggs Memorial Hall from 11am until 4pm. The Prevention Worker for East and West Dunbartonshire - Benedetta Giribaldi - is inviting you to attend a viewing of their exhibition called Reassess the Press, looking at the way that sexual violence is reported on, casting a critical eye over the use of language and editorial choices within print media. They researched and analysed stories from a range of outlets and put together their findings in a multimedia exhibition. TARA training 1pm on teams with Audrey Hand (NRS)
Tuesday 5 December	Domestic Abuse awareness training. Domestic abuse and teenage relationship training pm	Reclaim the Night March: Ayrshire Kilmarnock College, 5pm Open to all members of the public, survivors and partners in the EAVAWP, social work, health, community groups, education, all agencies.
Wednesday 6 December		Training: Trauma-informed practice and women selling or exchanging sex Wednesday 6th December, 9:30am-1pm Join our next training session exploring how trauma-informed practice can be applied when responding to the needs of women who sell or exchange sex. This is a free online introductory session for frontline workers and support organizations. The session has been designed with the Transforming Psychological Trauma Framework (Level 1) in mind. And explores the following: • Prevalence of traumatic events in the lives of women who sell or exchange sex • Effects and adaptations to trauma • Principles of trauma-informed practice and their application to women’s engagement with services. To register your interest, please fill in this form. Please note we will only contact you if your space is confirmed. Event: The Changing World of Gender Based Violence - A closer look into the role of technology Dundee, 9.30am-4pm Event for as professionals, across a range of sectors to learn about and consider how technology is changing the way GBV is perpetrated in today’s world. Booking link for The Changing World of Gender Based Violence Reclaim The Night March: Perth Perth Council Building, 5pm Reclaim the Night and march to show solidarity with women around the world living with fear and violence. Public event.
Friday 8 December		Art Exhibition: 'Look to the Future', Dundee Wellgate Shopping Centre, Dundee, 11am-3pm Dundee International Women’s Centre are hosting an art exhibition displaying a collection of artworks created by learners for 16 Days of Activism. Walk in Event.

If you have concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, you can contact:
East Dunbartonshire Social Work Advice and Response Team - 0141 777 3000
Out of Hours Social Work Service - 0300 343 1505
Police Scotland (non-emergency) - 101

If you are currently or have previously been impacted by gender based violence, or you are concerned about someone else there is local support available.

East Dunbartonshire Women’s Aid Phone: 0141 776 0864 Information and support via Womans Aid Email	A local organisation providing information, support and safe refuge accommodation for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Outreach service in primary and secondary schools for children and young people who have experience of domestic abuse.
Abused Men in Scotland Phone: 0808 800 0024 Monday-Friday 9am to 4pm Information and support	A national organisation dedicated to supporting men who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery (CEDAR) Project Phone: 0141 955 3040	An East Dunbartonshire therapeutic group work programme for children, young people (aged 4-16) and their mothers, with the main aim of helping mothers to understand the effect of domestic abuse on children and to support children in their recovery.
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Phone: 08088 00 00 14 Information and support via Rape Crisis Center email Workers can call their office line on 0141 552 3201	A support service for women and girls aged 13 and over who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused at some point in their lifetime.
Scotland’s National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline 24-Hour national helpline: 0800 027 1234 Information and support via SDAFMH email	A confidential 24-hour support service for anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them.
Galop LGBT+ domestic abuse national helpline: 0800 999 5428 LGBT+ domestic abuse information and support via Galop email	A confidential LGBT+ service for all members of the LGBT communities, their family, friends, and agencies supporting them. Information and support on hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre Phone: 08088 010 789 Tuesday 6pm to 9pm, Wednesday 1.30pm to 4.30pm and Friday 10am to1pm	The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre help women aged 16 and over affected by violence and abuse by providing free legal information and advice. Weekly surgeries in Glasgow and monthly surgeries in Lanarkshire available.
Police Scotland Emergency – 999 Non-emergencies - 101	Information about how to report domestic abuse The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scheme gives men and women the right to ask about the background of their partner, potential partner or someone who is in a relationship with someone they know, and there is a concern that the individual may be abusive.
Childline 24 hour national helpline: 0800 1111 Information and support via email Childline Information and support via 1-2-1 counsellor chat	A free and confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they are going through including domestic abuse.
The Hideout	Women's Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it is happening.