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Choose to Challenge on International Women’s Day: Wales won’t be a bystander to abuse and inequality

Dewis Herio ar Ddiwrnod Rhyngwladol y Menywod: Ni fydd Cymru’n goddef camdriniaeth nac anghydraddoldeb

On International Women’s Day, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, asks the people of Wales to choose to challenge and call out gender bias, inequality, and violence against women.

Jane Hutt said:

“International Women’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of women – and to take action against gender inequality.

“This year’s theme is Choose to Challenge. Stark evidence exists to show that women are still being treated unfairly, but from challenge comes change. 

“This week is also No More Week, an opportunity to raise awareness of Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, and to inspire change which will help create a culture of safety, equality, and respect in our communities.

“As individuals, we’re responsible for our own thoughts and actions. Today, I’m calling on Wales to choose to respect women’s rights, choose to change our behaviour, and choose to recognise and challenge abusive and discriminatory behaviour in others. We all have a part to play in making equality a reality.

“Evidence shows that being shut behind closed doors with abusers has increased the risk to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The impact of the virus has not fallen equally, and we must make sure that the clock is not rolled back on the progress we’ve made to support women and girls in Wales.

“We have all had to spend more time at home. We know that not every home is a place of safety. Social distancing restrictions and self-isolation can be frightening for victims of violence and abuse, and can amplify abusers’ power and control, and increase the risk to victims.

“Wales will not be a bystander to abuse. We want to create a culture across Wales where people recognise the signs of abuse and know how to help safely. Our VAWDASV e-learning module is open for anyone to access – being informed can help to save lives.

“Today we launch another burst of our ‘Home shouldn’t be a place of Fear’ campaign, reminding victims, survivors and concerned individuals that services are still here to help. Our Live Fear Free helpline remains open 24 hours a day, every day, for support and advice.

“Together, we can stand up to domestic abuse and sexual violence, and ensure a future where women are supported to achieve and fulfil their potential, no matter what they choose to do.”

Gwendolyn Sterk, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at Welsh Women’s Aid, said:

“An incredible sense of community has been felt during the COVID 19 pandemic. Communities have come together in an attempt to eradicate the virus and to support each other.

“However at Welsh Women’s Aid we know that it has also been a time of increased need for support for survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

“The community response and social solidarity COVID 19 has inspired is vital in tackling violence against women. Much like social distancing, this won’t be effective unless all of us commit to it. The pandemic has starkly highlighted the unavoidable truth that violence against women and girls is everyone’s business.

“This International Women’s Day we encourage everyone to come together to promote gender equality and to work together to prevent violence and abuse of women and girls, which remains at epidemic levels.

“During the pandemic we have welcomed the support of Welsh Government to enable us to produce guidance for our #StandWithSurvivors bystander toolkit. This will continue to help us support communities in challenging the attitudes that allow violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence to continue, and to offer safe responses and signposting to survivors across Wales.”

Notes to editors

Notes for editors

  • The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, is available for interview – please contact roberts018@gov.wales with interview bids.
  • Welsh Government VAWDASV National Adviser Yasmin Khan is available for interview on Monday 8 March – please contact roberts018@gov.wales.
  • Representatives of Welsh Women’s Aid are available for interview in English and Welsh – please contact GwendolynSterk@welshwomensaid.org.uk.

Media resources

Welsh Government Annual Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence report

On 25th February, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, announced the Welsh Government’s fourth annual Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence report.

The report laid out the significant progress during 2019-20, such as the continuation of the very effective “This is not Love. This is Control” communications campaign; training in Ask and Act for almost 2000 more public sector workers; and the publication of a non-specialist guide for public services working with adult perpetrators.

The 4th annual VAWDASV report can be accessed here:

https://gov.wales/violence-against-women-domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence-progress-report-2019-2020

Bystander training and support

 

Resources from Welsh Women’s Aid

How to get help

Specialist services remain open and are available to help victims of violence or abuse. Perpetrator services, which work to prevent incidents of domestic abuse from happening, also remain open and will continue to provide support.

You will not be in trouble if you need to leave your home to seek help at any time, and specialist services are open and operating, refuges will take referrals, and support is available to help you.

Police forces right across Wales are responding to domestic abuse and sexual violence callouts. If is not safe for victims to speak, police will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999, followed by 55 when the operator answers to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.

If you or someone you know is suffering physical or emotional abuse at the hands of a partner, here are some ways to get help:

  • If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999, followed by 55 when the operator answers to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.
  • Signs that abuse is happening behind closed doors could include repeated shouting, sounds of things being hit, smashed or broken, and continuing crying or pleas to stop. Victims might have cuts or bruises, look confused or dishevelled, or be anxious or withdrawn.
  • If you suspect that someone, whether child or adult, is suffering abuse, harm, neglect, harassment, control, physical violence or emotional abuse at the hands of a family member or partner, please call 999 if it’s an emergency, or seek support on Welsh Government’s ‘reporting suspected abuse, harm or neglect site’ here - https://gov.wales/reporting-suspected-abuse-harm-or-neglect-safeguarding.
  • If you are worried about your own behaviour, you can get non-judgemental help by contacting the Respect Phoneline: https://respectphoneline.org.uk/ Tel: 0808 8024 040

For domestic violence or sexual violence support, please contact:

  • The Live Fear Free helpline is a free 24/7 service for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence and those close to them, including family, friends and colleagues.  It remains open and offering a full service throughout Christmas and the lockdown which follows.
  • Police – 999 in an emergency
  • Silent 999: If you can’t talk in safety, but you need help immediately, police forces across Wales will respond to a silent 999 call – dial 999, and when the operator answers, dial 55 to indicate that you can’t talk, but need help.
  • Welsh Government’s ‘Reporting suspected abuse, harm or neglect site’ here
  • The NSPCC can be contacted by phone at: 0808 800 5000 or at nspcc.org.uk.
  • Meic is a confidential, anonymous, and free bilingual helpline service, providing advice, information and support for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Lines are open 8am - midnight, 7 days a week, by phone 080880 25456, SMS text 84001 and instant messaging https://www.meiccymru.org

 

  • Childline is a free, private and confidential service to anyone under 19 in the UK where they can talk about anything. https://www.childline.org.uk/ where support is also delivered via webpages and message boards.

The Childline number is: 0800 1111.

You can speak to a real person and get the support you need, or chat about any concerns you may be having.

  • The Safer Wales Dyn project provides support to Heterosexual, Gay, Bisexual and Trans men who are experiencing Domestic abuse from a partner.

http://www.dynwales.org/contact-dyn-project/?contentID=577   Tel: 0808 801 0321

  • The Bawso helpline offers support to BAME victims and survivors affected by domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women.

https://bawso.org.uk/contact-us/ Tel: 08007318147

  • The Hourglass Cymru confidential helpline 0808 8088141 provides information and support to anyone concerned about harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older person, whether that abuse is perpetrated by family members, partners, neighbours, paid professionals or strangers