Taking a stand to eliminate violence against women and girls

We’ll be flying the White Ribbon Flag on Tuesday 25 November to mark the start of this year’s global 16 Days of Activism campaign and the UN International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign seeks to galvanise action for the elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG) around the world.

The campaign concludes on Tuesday 10 December, which marks Human Rights Day, reminding all that violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world.

In the UK, 2 million women are estimated to be victims of violence perpetrated by men each year. It’s an epidemic so serious, it amounts to a national emergency.

Crimes including stalking, harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence affect one in 12 women in England and Wales, with the number of recorded offences growing by 37% in the past 5 years.

Violence against women and girls is happening at all levels and in all areas of our society. Now is the time to unite and end violence against women for good.

The White Ribbon Campaign

The start of the 16 Days initiative also marks White Ribbon Day, part of a campaign encouraging community leaders to lead by example.

The White Ribbon Campaign recognises the positive role men play in preventing violence against women, based on the understanding that most men are not violent.

This year the campaign’s theme, ‘We speak up’, wants more men to use their voices and speak up to create a world where everyone is safe, equal and respected.

Throughout the 16 Days, the White Ribbon Campaign will also be sharing stories of 16 men, White Ribbon Ambassadors, from different backgrounds who have committed to speaking up for women and girls.

Make a pledge

Brighton & Hove is committed to supporting the White Ribbon Campaign. It is important to involve anyone of any gender to get involved as ambassadors or champions, to work towards addressing and altering social norms that lead to violent behaviour against women and girls.

You can show your support for the campaign all year round by making the promise never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls in all forms, and by wearing a white ribbon on the day.

16 Days event at Jubilee Library

10am to 1pm, Tuesday 25 November

Jubilee Library, BN1 1GE

Join us in Jubilee Library to meet organisations around the city who are working to support people experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. You can learn what they do and how you or a loved one can get help.

You can meet the representatives of:

You are not alone

Councillor Sam Parrott, lead member on violence against women and girls at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “It is important we all recognise that violence against women and girls is not a women’s issue; everyone must be part of the solution.

“Victim blaming must stop. We should all challenge this whenever we see it. Silence is compliance.

“Allyship matters, which is why we support the White Ribbon campaign. Men can and must play a role in tackling this behaviour.

“But support should go further than that. We should all be doing everything we can to model true equality in all that we do.

“As a local authority we are committed to following our VAWG strategy, to hearing the voices of people with lived experiences of VAWG and embedding trauma informed thinking across the entire organisation. 

“We will do what we can not only to support organisations doing vital work supporting victims of abuse, but also to make sure their experiences, insight and expertise help shape future policy. 

“A number of events and workshops are taking place in person and online to mark the 16 days and spread awareness of how to support people experiencing abuse. 

“If you, or someone you know, is experiencing, or has experienced, domestic abuse or any form of violence against women and girls, support is available. Please remember that you are not alone.”

Help is available

If you think you might be experiencing domestic abuse, call Victim Support on 0300 323 9985, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you think you might be using abusive behaviours you can contact Cranstoun who can help.

If you’re thinking about harming yourself as a result of abuse, there is support available through Samaritans as well as Rethink Mental Health.

16 Days in the city

A number of events and workshops by our providers will take place around the city and online to mark 16 Days and spread awareness on how to support people experiencing abuse.

Tuesday 25 November

Community bystander intervention training

7pm to 9pm, Tuesday 25 November

Online event

Join Hersana for a free session in learning how to step in and make a difference in your community with a bystander intervention training.

This free 2-hour workshop, designed by Hersana, aims to help services, businesses, community groups and public members understand the importance of how to become active bystanders.

This session gives people the skills to recognise and challenge misogynistic behaviour in their everyday life, as well as empowering them to take a safe and active stand against discrimination across a range of protected characteristics.

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Domestic homicides and suicides in later life: learning the lessons – Hour  Hourglass

2pm to 3.30pm, Tuesday 25 November

Online event

Join Hourglass to mark the beginning of 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence and discuss emerging research about those who are killed or who die by suicide, in later life, as a result of domestic abuse.

This live online event will bring together a panel of experts and advocates to discuss:

  • The scale and nature of domestic abuse experienced by older people
  • How abuse in later life can lead to fatal outcomes, and why these cases are often hidden or underreported
  • Key lessons from case reviews and research

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Fundraising DJ set for White Ribbon Campaign

7pm, Tuesday 25 November

Hand in Hand pub, 33 Upper St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1JN

An evening filled with toe-tapping music and great company to raise funds and awareness for the White Ribbon Campaign.

Learn more on the event’s Just Giving page.

Friday 28 November

The Black femme experience of the digital world: AI, tech and virtual abuse

10am to 11.30am, Friday 28 November

Online event

Abuse is evolving with tech: unpack AI, digital control and virtual abuse through the lens of race and misogyny.

This 90-minute, entry-level workshop explores how tech abuse and emerging AI tools are reshaping the landscape of gender-based violence, particularly for Black femmes.

Through an intersectional lens, participants will unpack how power, bias and digital control intersect in the lives of survivors, and learn how to identify, prevent and respond to tech-facilitated abuse.

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Reclaim the Night

6pm, Friday 28 November

Starting location: outside Brighton Central Station, Queen’s Road

Ending location: Pavilion Gardens, Brighton

The streets of Brighton will once again be filled with powerful chants, banners and unity as the annual Reclaim the Night Brighton march returns. Organised by a coalition of Brighton feminists, survivors and activists, the event invites all members of the community to stand together against gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination, demanding safer spaces for women and all marginalised genders.

Piece it together comedy night

8pm, Friday 28 November

Puzzle Bored, 27 New Rd, BN1 1UG

A celebration of women in comedy and a fundraiser for Survivors’ Network. Join the 6 incredible comedians for an excellent evening of comedy for a great cause.

Get your tickets.

Tuesday 2 December

LGBTQ+ domestic abuse awareness coffee morning

11am to 12 noon, Tuesday 2 December

Online event

As part of 16 days, join LGBT Switchboard for a virtual coffee morning to learn about how domestic abuse impacts LGBTQ people.

This event aims to provide a safe space for discussion and support. Whether you're looking to learn more or connect with others, this is the place to be. Let's come together to make a difference!

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Happily Never After... Understanding & Responding to Post-Separation Abuse

10am to 12 noon, Tuesday 2 December

Online event

Leaving isn’t always the end. This training exposes post-separation abuse & empowers safe, survivor-centred responses.

Separation is often viewed as the end of abuse but for many survivors, it’s only the beginning of a new phase of control, harassment and harm.

Happily Never After… is a powerful training session that centres the lived experiences of survivors – particularly Black femme survivors – navigating ongoing abuse after leaving an abusive partner. This training explores the forms, impacts and systems that enable post-separation abuse (PSA), from family courts and shared parenting arrangements to economic control and stalking.

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Thursday 4 December

Grievable Bodies: Race & Remembering in the Context of Domestic Homicide

2pm to 4pm, Thursday 4 December

Online event

62% of femicides in London 2023 were Black women. This session confronts the consequence of invisibility in the UK as a death sentence.

Using Judith Butler’s theory, ‘grievable bodies’, this training centres the stories of Black femmes lost to gender-based violence, exposing how society dismisses or normalises their deaths, or renders them invisible.

Through Black feminist theory, intersectional analysis and real-world case studies, this session challenges professionals to face the racial and gendered disparities in state responses, media coverage, safeguarding failures and data collection. It is both a space to reflect and a call to action – demanding that we change how we remember, respond to and fight for the lives of Black and marginalised femmes.

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Monday 8 December

Cranstoun stall

10.30am, Monday 8 December

Friends Meeting House, Ship St, BN1 1AF

For over 50 years, Cranstoun has supported people to rebuild their lives, inspired transformation and empowered positive change. Come over and have a chat with Cranstoun staff to learn what support services they provide.