Hackney,
24
November
2021
|
10:14
Europe/London

End Violence Against Women and Girls campaign 2021

VAWG

Show your support for the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’ on 25 November and the following 16 days of activism to end gender based violence, as the Council calls on residents to rally together and show their support for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

Thursday kicks off the ‘16 days of activism’ as part of the UN’s campaign to help eliminate gender-based violence, starting with an event in Hackney Town Hall on Thursday 25 November and ending on human rights day on 10 December. 

Watch the live stream of Thursday’s meeting from 12.30pm on the Council’s youtube, and find out more about how the Council and local voluntary sector are working together to end violence against women and girls. 

The Council is running two campaigns this year - one aimed at ending domestic abuse, the other aimed at ending street based harassment and violence.

These campaigns come on the back of shocking statistics that in the UK 1,425 women were killed by men in the 10 years to 2018, which is around one killing every three days. Since March last year, an estimated 4.9 million women in the UK have been victims of sexual assault. 

Women are much more likely than men to be victims of abuse, with men also much more likely to be perpetrators of abuse and violence. In the past 10 years, out of all killings in the UK, more than nine in 10 killers were men. In the past year alone almost 100% of rapists were men

The Council is calling on men and boys in Hackney to help keep women and girls safe. The Council will be offering work with men on being an ally to women, and how they can better help ensure the streets are safe for everyone. To get involved please register interest via: www.hackney.gov.uk/VAWG 

The Council is also asking residents to help by calling 999 in an emergency or reporting an incident via 101 if they experience or witness any form of harassment or violence. 

One woman in Hackney, who responded to a Council survey, said: “Women are not possessions; men are not entitled to the time, attention, or affections of any of them - we need to normalise respect on our streets.”

Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety
It’s more important than ever that we take a stand against violence and abuse towards women and girls in our society - this issue has been starkly highlighted in recent months by the horrendous killings of women such as Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa. 

All women and girls should be able to live without fear of abuse, harassment or intimidation. We want residents to pledge their support for ending gender based violence in Hackney, coming together on 25 November and taking part in the 16 days of action to help eliminate violence against women and girls in Hackney. Gender based violence can and must be prevented!
Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety

Survey on safer streets in Hackney

On 25 November the Council is set to launch a consultation, in partnership with the Safe Neighbourhood Board, to hear from women and girls on their experiences and ideas on how to keep the streets of Hackney safe. 

The survey and pin-map will allow the Council to better understand the concerns, perceptions and experiences of women and girls and allow officers to identify public spaces in the borough where they may not feel very safe. 

The feedback will allow the Council to put mitigations in place over the next year to help women and girls feel safer in its public spaces. This could, for instance, include improved street lighting, or more CCTV cameras. 

To take part in the survey, from 25 November, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/VAWG 

Are you experiencing abuse? 

In an emergency always call the police on 999, or report a non-emergency incident to the police on 101. 

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, call the Council on: 020 8356 4458 to access support, or visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/domestic-violence/#contact 

If the incident was on public transport you can contact the British Transport police by calling or texting 61016.

You can also report anti-social behaviour in parks and on the streets to the Council’s team by emailing asbteam@hackney.gov.uk or calling 020 8356 3310.

Are you hurting someone? 

If you are hurting someone, and want help stopping abusive behaviour you can call Respect on: 0808 8024040 or visit: respectphoneline.org.uk 

The Council also operates a programme for those who perpetrate domestic abuse to help stop abusive behaviour. Call: 020 8356 4458 to access support.

More information