Issues highlighted during the campaign include domestic abuse, stalking and harassment; rape and sexual assault; commercial sexual exploitation; harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.
The campaign is taking place across the Forth Valley and is led locally by the Stirling Gender-Based Violence Partnership. Highlights for this year’s campaign include the second year of Stirling’s Reclaim the Night; training for volunteers and staff across the Forth Valley who come into contact with domestic abuse cases and events to give a voice to young people on topics like consent and healthy relationships.
Public Safety Convenor Maureen Bennison said, “It is shocking that around 1 in 5 women in Scotland will experience some form of domestic abuse at some time in their life. In the Forth Valley alone last year there were nearly 4,000 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police, and many more will not be reported to police.
“Given that situation we are proud to be raising awareness and educating people on gender based violence as part of the 16 Days of Action campaign. Stirling Council is committed to supporting people affected by gender-based violence.
“The work carried out by the Stirling Gender-Based Partnership is so important. I hope the events planned across the Forth Valley and particularly in Stirling, will help give a better understanding to the experiences and complex needs of women and children affected by abuse.”
More information about the campaign, local support services and reading lists relating to gender-based violence can be found in libraries across the Stirling Council area. You can also find more information on the 16 Days of Action Forth Valley on the campaign’s dedicated Facebook page.
Domestic abuse has far reaching effects beyond the physical violence with women victims 15 times more likely to use alcohol, and 9 times more likely to use drugs than women generally.
Human trafficking is another issue that people often do not realise is happening around them. In Scotland in 2016, 150 potential victims of trafficking were identified with women more likely to be trafficked for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, whilst males are more likely to be trafficked for labour exploitation.
The campaign coincides with the international ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign which calls for the elimination of violence against women and children, running from 25th November to 10th December 2017.
Whilst this campaign focuses specifically on male violence against women, it is recognised that men can also be subjected to many of these issues, as can people in same sex relationships, however in the vast majority of cases these acts are carried out by men against women.
“16 Days of Action” Events List
Along with training events for staff and volunteers who work with those affected by domestic abuse, events will take place across the Forth Valley, with Stirling hosting the following events:
28th November - White Ribbon Workshops, Forth Valley College Stirling Campus
White Ribbon works with men wanting to show their support for those affected by gender-based violence - while the majority of gender-based violence has a female victim and male perpetrator, the vast majority of men are not abusers and can play a significant part in addressing the root cause.
28th November – Consent and Healthy Relationships Conference for Young People
Pupils from S3 and S4 in schools across the Forth Valley will attend a conference at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane to give their views, as part of the Scottish Government’s projects to empower young people to have control over their own lives and have their voices heard.
29th November – Writing Gender Violence panel event Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling
Stirling Council Libraries are hosting a panel event with the University of Stirling. Included on the panel is crime writer Alexandra Sokoloff, PhD student Lorna Hill, who has written a novel which focuses on the crimes of human trafficking and domestic abuse; and Lydia House from Zero Tolerance.
7th December – Reclaim the Night March, Stirling
With the first march taking place last year, the now annual event provides a safe space for anyone who wishes to take part. Participants will meet at the Stirling Castle Esplanade Car Park at 6.30pm, with the March beginning at 7pm.
The Encompass Network – Inside Outside Project
The Inside Outside project has given women involved in the sex industry a chance to have their stories told through storytelling and photography. The project is being hosted as an internal event at Cornton Vale prison during the 16 Days of Action, with a public exhibition set to take place at Pathfoot Gallery at the University of Stirling from 15th January.