16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse
Friday 25th November marks the start of the campaign ‘16 days of activism against gender-based violence’, also known as ‘16 days of action against domestic abuse’.
The staff wellbeing team would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse, and highlight means of support.
Unfortunately, the Christmas season is always a time of year when incidences of domestic violence and abuse increase.
A mix of more time at home, financial pressures, and an increase in alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of physical attacks or emotional abuse from a violent partner (or ex-partner) or family member.
And this year, we also have the football world cup thrown into the mix. Major sports tournaments are another event where we see an increase in the number of violent incidents by partners, ex-partners or abusive family members. In fact, research by the University of Lancaster shows violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England loses football matches. Rates are also 26% higher when the team wins or draws.
Click here to see the research report.
So, in the following article, we will share more about the ’16 days’ campaign, a bit about what domestic violence and abuse is, and where to get further information and support.
What is 16 days of action?
16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence (aka 16 days of action against domestic abuse) is an international campaign that runs from the 25th November to 10th December, and encourages action and awareness against all forms of violence against women and girls.
What is domestic abuse?
Sadly 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 7 men, will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life (info taken from this report here on page 19).
If we apply these stats to the current university staff population, that means approx. 313 women and 140 men here at the university may be affected by domestic abuse.
Often, the image of domestic abuse we see portrayed on tv or highlighted in the media focuses on physical violence i.e. physical attacks, punches, kicks or strangling from a partner.
However, we want to raise awareness that:
- the violence does not have to be from a current partner. The abuse can and often does continue post-separation and can carry on for years
- not all perpetrators are male
- physical violence is only one aspect of domestic abuse. Mental and emotional abuse, threats, controlling behaviour, coercive control, stalking, economic abuse, sexual violence, disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress (known as the “revenge porn” offence), and non-fatal strangulation are all behaviours included under the definition of domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
In fact, the UK Government defines domestic violence as ‘any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.’
If you are unsure whether you or someone else is experiencing domestic abuse, take a look at this checklist from the Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership: https://pdap.co.uk/about-domestic-abuse/
Or download the ‘BrightSky’ App, which is a fantastic resource including ‘spot the signs’ for yourself, ‘spot the signs’ for someone else, or find support near you.
Where to get support if you are a victim
If you believe you are experiencing domestic abuse and you would like to get help, there are lots of options no matter where you live, that can provide emotional and practical support, safety planning, legal advice, and even refuge and housing support.
Plus, there is no obligation to report to the police if you don’t want to – you can still access support without reporting, however we would always advise you call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
On the staff wellbeing pages we have collated a list of local (West Yorkshire) and national support services, which you can find on the domestic abuse page here.
What to do if you are concerned about someone else?
Whether it’s a colleague, friend, or family member, you might have concerns about someone you know being a victim of domestic abuse. In these circumstances it can be difficult to know what to do.
If you are worried about someone you know, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247, even if you are not a victim yourself.
***If someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999 and speak to the police***
And if someone does disclose that they are a victim of domestic violence or abuse to you, then here are some excellent tips from the domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid:
- Listen, try to understand, and take care not to blame.
- Acknowledge that it takes strength to trust someone enough to talk to them about experiencing abuse. Give time to talk, but don’t push them to go into too much detail if they don’t want to.
- Allow them to make their own decisions.
- Don’t tell them to leave the relationship if they are not ready to do this.
- If they have suffered physical harm, suggest seeking medical support such as via a doctor, or local hospital.
- Ask if they want to report any crimes to the police and help them to do so if they wish.
- Signpost to organisations that offer help to victims of domestic abuse.
- Look after yourself while you are supporting someone through such a difficult and emotional time. Ensure that you do not put yourself into a dangerous situation; for example, do not offer to talk to the abuser about your friend or let yourself be seen by the abuser as a threat to their relationship.
- If you are a line manager, discuss safe working practices, risk assessments, and consider any adjustments. Stay in regular contact with employees you know, or fear, may be facing abuse and if you lose contact with them, take swift action.
(for more guidance for line managers, have a look at the staff wellbeing domestic abuse page here.)
Are you worried about your own abusive behaviour?
‘It is difficult to face up to the fact that your behaviour could be abusive, but when you begin to accept what you are doing, you can begin to make changes that will help you to be safe around your partner and your children… Many people excuse their behaviour by minimising what they are doing: ‘it’s not that bad’, blaming their partner – ‘they wound me up’, saying it’s because of other pressures such as work or by blaming alcohol, or momentary loss of control. This can make you feel better in the short term. However, acknowledging this and taking responsibility for your behaviour is a positive step towards changing your behaviour.’*
*information taken from the Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership website here.
Places that can help if you are worried about your own abusive behaviour:
- National - Respect ‘Choose to stop’, provides help for domestic violence perpetrators- https://respectphoneline.org.uk/
- West Yorkshire Police ‘In Your Hands’ Scheme - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/InYourHands
- Wakefield – Rosalieryrie Foundation - https://www.rosalieryriefoundation.org.uk/how-we-can-help/
- South Yorkshire – Cranstoun - https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/domestic-abuse/inspire-to-change/
If you are unsure where to turn and would like information or support, please do get in touch with the staff wellbeing team by emailing staff.wellbeing@hud.ac.uk and we will be more than happy to help.
For further information about domestic abuse, visit the domestic abuse section of the staff wellbeing webpages.
Huddersfield University is also the home of ‘None in Three’, a global research centre (now amalgamated with the Just Futures Research Centre) which aims to prevent gender-based violence (GBV). You can get further information and support and find out more about their research via their website https://noneinthree.hud.ac.uk. Or contact lead academic of None in Three g.e.kirkman@hud.ac.uk.