Pupils from secondary schools across East Dunbartonshire will attend a special assembly on Friday 25 November to mark the start of the 16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence Campaign.
The S3 pupils will hear from speakers with powerful messages that are central to the international campaign, supported each year by the Council and its partners.
The event, which signals the start of the 16 Days of Action, is being hosted by Bearsden Academy and has been organised by Empowered* - the name for the East Dunbartonshire Multi Agency Partnership for Violence Against Women and Girls.
At the launch, pupils will hear from inspiring speakers from:
- The University of Glasgow
- Rape Crisis
- The White Ribbon Campaign – a campaign which calls for men and boys to pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
- LGBT Youth Scotland
- CEDAR Project – a service for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse recovery.
Provost Una Walker, a long term supporter of the campaign, will open proceedings on the day. She said, “It is so important that we raise awareness of this campaign with young people. We have put together an impressive programme of speakers that we hope can bring the issue to life for pupils to stimulate debate so that they come away with a better understanding of the issues.
“During 16 Days of Action we want to highlight that being a woman, or a girl, or identifying as LGBT in itself can lead to a range of disadvantages, including harmful behaviour, and that this has to stop.”
World Health Organisation statistics show that one in five women will experience domestic abuse at some time in their life and more women are killed as a result of male violence than by car accidents, cancer, malaria and war combined.
Provost Walker added, “Gender based violence has no place in a safe, strong, successful Scotland. It damages health and wellbeing, limits freedom and potential, and is a violation of the most fundamental human rights.”
To mark the 16 Days of Action there will also be a special screening of the award winning documentary film 'Private Violence' followed by a discussion with Graham Goulden, Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme Coordinator and close friend of film subject Kit Gruelle.
It will be shown on Tuesday 29 November, from 4-6pm in the auditorium of McGregor House, 10 Donaldson Crescent, Kirkintilloch. Entry is free and places are still available. Please note that the film is not suitable for children under 15.
‘Private Violence’ explores a simple, but deeply disturbing fact: the most dangerous place for a woman is her own home. It explores the ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ question through the eyes of two survivors. Find out more about the film at www.privateviolence.com
In Scotland in 2014-2015, 43% of female homicide victims were killed by their partner and 93% of female victims were killed in a dwelling (National Statistics Crime and Justice Bulletin 2014-2015).
To book your free place go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for the film screening then select ‘register’.
* Empowered brings together a number of agencies including the Council, Addaction Families+, Ceartas Advocacy, Carers Link, Citizens Advice Bureau, CEDAR Project, ED Women's Aid, ED Association for Mental Health, ED Youth Council, ED Health and Social Care Partnership, Low Moss Prison, Police Scotland, Rape Crisis Glasgow, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Victim Support ED.
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