VP Wellbeing & Diversity attends Trevi’s city-wide campaign in Plymouth

As your VP Wellbeing and Diversity, I attended the launch of local women’s charity Trevi’s city-wide campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence - ENOUGH!

The event on Saturday saw hundreds gather in the city centre alongside the Stamp Out Spiking Safety bus to peacefully march before laying candles on the Hoe in memory of women who have lost their lives as a result of Violence Against Women and Girls.

Read the ITV News story here: Plymouth charity Trevi urging domestic abuse victims to speak up after woman brutally murdered

What is the Global 16 Days Campaign?

The Global 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (also known as White Ribbon Day), to 10th December, Human Rights Day.

Trevi’s campaign is simple: ENOUGH. They want to spread this message across Plymouth urging people to take action in helping end violence against women and girls, and everyone can be involved. They are working in partnership with Plymouth City Council, the NSPCC, Devon & Cornwall Police, First Light, M.A.N Culture Plymouth, Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services and the Plymouth NHS Trust organisations.

Find out more: trevi.org.uk/plymouth-says-enough-no-more-excuses/ 

Over the last five years, the number of domestic abuse incidents has been increasing in Plymouth, and it accounts for 27% of all violent crimes in the city compared to the national average of 16%. Last year alone, there were 6,933 reported cases of domestic abuse, an increase of 21% from the previous year. 

*Data from the Plymouth City Council VAWG Report 2023.

Hannah Shead, Trevi CEO, says, 

Our campaign message is clear: if you see it, call it out or report it. If you are experiencing it, seek help and support. Violence against women is learned. Each of us must examine – and change – how our own behaviour might enable, ignore or excuse all such forms of violence.

If you would like any support, please reach out to:

Trevi

Trevi is a local charity offering a range of support for women. The Sunflower Centre offers a safe space for women to receive support and connect with other women. It offers a wraparound therapeutic service for any woman in need in the City. This could include: addictions, mental wellbeing, health, criminogenic behaviours, domestic abuse and social isolation. Should you, or someone you know, need help and support please contact: Sunflower Women’s Centre | telephone: 01752 977614 | email: office@trevi.org.uk

Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service (PDAS) and refuge

If you need support and protection from abuse call the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service on 01752 252033 or the Plymouth refuge on 01752 562286.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa is a local domestic violence programme for those who are violent and/or abusive towards a partner or ex-partner, you can call on 01752 213535.

Respect phoneline

Respect phoneline is a confidential and anonymous helpline offering advice, information and support for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner, you can call on 0808 8024040.

I am a man, how can I help?

M.A.N: Culture Plymouth is a group of men living and working in the city who have started an organisation to begin the conversations with men and boys in the city about violence against women and girls, to facilitate the difficult conversations needed to address male culture and to support the safety of women and girls in the city.

We are growing a Male Allyship Network who will provide the space to have honest conversations about masculinity and male violence. We believe violence against women and girls is a male problem and needs the male population to be part of the solution. If you want to know more about what we are doing and how to get involved, then email us at info@manculture.co.uk

If you would like advice on reporting visit: www.enough.campaign.gov.uk/reporting-abuse

Or if you would like to report abuse through the University services: www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/student-services/speak-up