Growing Violence against women and girls
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marked the launch of the UNiTE campaign ,Nov 25- Dec 10, an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates International Human Rights Day (10 December).
The 2024 campaign 'Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women' will draw attention to the alarming escalation of worldwide violence against women to revitalise commitments, call for accountability and action from decision-makers.
Shocking statistics show the scale of violence towards women and girls in the UK.
- 2 women every week are killed by a current, ex-partner or other close relative.
- Almost 1 in 3 women aged 16 - 59 have experienced domestic abuse in their lifetime.
- Almost all girls have experienced at least one incident of abuse in school.
- Women are 27 times more likely than men to receive harassment or abuse online.
- 97% of women aged 18-24 have experienced some form of harassment in public.
Violence against women and girls is not inevitable
Violence against women and girls is widespread and linked to women’s inequality, but there is concrete action that can be taken to end it and to prevent it, and everyone has a role to play.
For many years the main response to violence against women and girls was limited to changing the way it was handled by the police and courts; a ‘criminal justice response’. The idea of preventing rape, domestic violence, harassment or FGM was given little attention.
Preventing violence includes work across many areas of our public services and community life such as education, support services, tackling harmful media, working with perpetrators and more
Support services - You are not alone
National Domestic Abuse Helpline open 24 hours a day.
0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid webchat service.
0808 802 0300 (open 9.30am – 4pm every weekday apart from Wednesdays, when it is open from 9.30am – 8pm).
email the National Stalking help desk
Rights of Women website provide free and confidential legal advice covering family law, criminal law, immigration and asylum law, and sexual harassment.
