Did you know that, on average, two women a week are killed by their partners in the UK?
This year, Salisbury Soroptimists will take steps to help prevent domestic abuse by organising a number of events and displays around the city as part of the worldwide campaigns 16 Days of Activism and 'Orange the World'.
Both campaigns aim to eliminate violence against women and girls. Orange was chosen as a symbol of a brighter future. The Soroptimists urge the community to become better informed about the signs of and strategies to prevent domestic abuse.
The UN 'UNITE!' campaign highlights the 25th of every month as '#OrangeDay' but especially the 25th of November, which is the start of 16 days of Activism and the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. The 16 days of activism end on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The theme of this year's campaign is 'UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls'. Salisbury Soroptimists have been working on their project 'Making our City Safer' with an emphasis on improving safety for women and girls.
This has included encouraging employers to train their staff in recognising the impacts of domestic abuse and introducing bystander training which gives people the tools to intervene in situations they might witness.
They also organised self-defence workshops. Other actions included identifying street lights that were not working and dark spaces where lighting could be improved. Wiltshire Council used the results of these surveys to commission a report to suggest mitigation strategies.
This year, the event will begin with the lighting of the Guildhall in orange on 25th November.
After that, look out for new post box toppers around the city, as the skilful creators have been in action again!
There will be table displays at Five Rivers, Waitrose, and the Salisbury Library. Mothers’ Union branches are setting up displays in shop windows around the city, using empty shoes to represent women lost to domestic abuse. There will also be posters in many parks.
What can you do? Ensure you are informed by reading about the signs of domestic abuse and offer support to anyone you think may need it. This could be a listening ear, a support line number, a safe space to talk, or suggesting the Bright Sky app, which gives practical advice.
For information about support services available for anyone suffering domestic abuse or to learn what you can do to help, please visit Salisbury Soroptimists’ website: https://sigbi.org/salisbury/club-projects/orange-the-world/domestic-abuse/
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