We support 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
This annual international campaign calls for an end to violence against women and girls and runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day.
Gender-based violence is a global crisis that affects one in three women worldwide. This issue disproportionately impacts certain groups, including women with disabilities, adolescent girls, and older women. These individuals often face significant barriers to seeking help and having their voices heard.
Unfortunately, societal responses to violence can involve victim-blaming and shaming, such as clothing choices, perceived actions, or simply belonging to a specific group. Additionally, violence that occurs within private or familiar settings often goes unaddressed.
To address this crisis, we must challenge misogyny and violence and ensure women’s voices are heard. Women and girls worldwide deserve access to essential support services whenever they need them.
Need support for yourself or others?
You may be reading this either because you or someone you know is going through some form of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse exists in a variety of ways and can seriously affect the physical and mental well-being of victims, families and communities.
It's important you feel safe in your own home and our Community Safety Team is on hand to help confidentiality on 0161 226 4211. However, if you believe you are in immediate danger, contact the police by dialling 999 or refer to the Domestic Violence organisations and support services below.
If you live in Greater Manchester there is a Domestic Abuse line run by Independent Choices Greater Manchester. Whether you need to speak to someone for yourself, or for someone else, you can contact the team at 0800 254 0909
Useful Information
- Bright Sky App – on all MSV phones and free to download onto yours. The App disguises itself as a weather app and can record domestic violence, get help for yourself or others and has other useful resources.
- Signal for help – spending more time at home, can be challenging for those in domestic abuse situations with their partners at home. The ‘Signal for Help’ is a non-verbal way someone can discretely signal they’re in a domestic abuse situation and need help.
- Ask for A.N.I at a pharamacy - If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy (sounds like the name Annie). They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
- 999 55 calls – Make Yourself Heard – if you need to call 999 but it’s too dangerous to speak, you can safely alert police that you need help by listening to the call handler and responding by coughing, tapping the keys if you can and then pressing ‘55’ when prompted by the automated Silent Solution system. This will alert the police that it is a genuine 999 call and that you need urgent help.
- Hollie Guard App - help protect yourself or someone you know with Hollie Guard. Every 5 seconds, the platform updates your precise location based on your speed and movement to identify where you are once an alert has been raised.
- Clare's Law - apply for information about your current or ex-partner because you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you. Or request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried they might be at risk.
- UK Safe Spaces - UK SAYS NO MORE is working with pharmacies, banks and selected job centres across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.
Support Organisations – Useful contacts
- The Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (National DA advice helpline)
- National Centre Domestic Violence – 0800 970 2070 (Can assist with seeking legal orders)
- Man Kind – 01832 334 244 (For male domestic abuse victims)
- Refuge – Information on accessing support and advice for DA victims
- Lotus Hub - 07894443756 (Specialist service for ethnically minoritised women experiencing gender-based violence within the Greater Manchester area)
