Bolton to turn orange in unity against domestic violence | News

Residents and organisations are encouraged to dress or light up their rooms or buildings in orange this Sunday evening (29 November) in solidarity against domestic abuse and violence.

Bolton Town Hall and our Valley House office are two of the buildings that will shine as beacons against gender based violence as part of the 16 Days of Activism international campaign. It started this year on 25 November, with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December which is Human Rights Day.

‘Orange the World’ is a theme inspired by the United Nations End to Violence against Women campaign, which highlights the 243 million women and girls who were abused by an intimate partner in the last year. As a result of the pandemic, calls to domestic abuse helplines have increased by up to 500 per cent.

The She Inspires Foundation Community Interest Company, is leading the Orange The World activity in Bolton. People are encouraged to take part from home and share pictures on social media with the hashtag #OrangeTheWorld.

She Inspires has also been supported by the HM Treasury Coronavirus Response Fund to put-on a series of empowerment through art workshops for the community as part of the #SafeThanSorry project in support of victims of domestic abuse.

Follow @SheInspiresFD on Facebook for a variety of streamed activities, a range of art workshops, dance performances, poetry readings and a talk about the need to end violence against women.

Gulnaz Brennan, of She Inspires, said: “Domestic abuse is one of the most heinous of acts against the most vulnerable. We cannot afford to look the other way and need to unite to against abuse in any and every form." 

Gemma Parlby, our Director of Housing Services, said: “Campaigns that challenge violence against others are vital and we encourage people to show their support.

“We work sensitively and with other organisations and specialist partners to tackle domestic abuse all year round. We have a dedicated support service which provides housing, additional security measures, personal support and safety planning, and ongoing support for victims and survivors through a range of community projects. Please get in touch with us if you’re a tenant and need help.”

You can find more information on our webpage here: https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/domestic-abuse on our support service, ways to report domestic abuse in confidence and other contact information for expert help locally and nationally.  

 

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

People around the world are raising awareness about gender based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women and girls. At Bolton at Home, we feel that domestic abuse and violence against anyone is completely unacceptable.

This year, due to the isolating impact of COVID-19, we’ve taken our activities online, both in the run-up to and during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

In addition to the Eyes Wide Open campaign and We Are Women series of webinar events that we’ve shared recently, our Community Investment colleagues have led on the creation of a magazine to showcase inspirational stories, partner organisations and the support available to women, and there will also be a podcast for women to share their stories of hope.

We’ve also worked with charities, community groups and other organisations on a programme of activities to support, educate and empower women during the 16 days campaign.

Activities include mindfulness videos, a wellbeing workshop, a storytelling workshop, research on sexual objectification, a memorial to women who were murdered by an intimate partner in 2019, interviews with activists and survivors, a candle lit vigil and an art workshop.

Please follow @16daysBolton2020 on Facebook for more details and to get involved in #16daysGM20 campaign.

Take care.