The campaign features new poetry by Birmingham based poet Nafeesa Hamid and contributions from BSWA, along with helplines, factual information, myth busting and ways you can join the movement to end domestic abuse. It also includes advice about how to offer support to someone who may be experiencing domestic abuse, and what to do if you are worried about your own relationship.
Do you need someone to talk to? Access free, confidential helplines and webchat services in Birmingham, the West Midlands and UK wide.
If you’re worried about your partner seeing what you have looked at online, use ‘private browsing mode’ on your phone or device, which won’t save your search history. You can find more information about keeping safe online here.
Most websites offering support for domestic abuse have an ‘exit page’ button that will close the webpage quickly.
Birmingham & the West Midlands
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid Confidential helpline: 7 days a week, 9.15am to 5.15pm 0808 800 0028 Webchat: Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm https://bswaid.org info@bswaid.org
The Mix – Essential support for under 25s Confidential helpline: 7 days a week, 3pm – 12am 0808 808 4994 Webchat: 7 days a week, 3pm – 12am https://www.themix.org.uk/ Crisis messenger: (24/7) text THEMIX to 85258
If something doesn’t feel right, there are people out there who will listen and who will believe you. When you pick up the phone to speak to someone, we will believe what you say, and take it from there to support you in whatever way you need. Anna, BSWA
End Violence Against Women have responded to the launch of the inquiry into systemic failings that enabled serving Metropolitan police officer Wayne Couzens to abuse his power to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard. They have also issued a set of demands to ensure this inquiry is not a missed opportunity to make real and meaningful changes to the epidemic of violence against women that prevails throughout society and policing.
‘Political attention to the violence against women and girls perpetrated, normalised and covered up within our police forces is long overdue. But by focusing on the actions of one perpetrator and not examining the underlying culture of policing that has failed women and girls and enabled perpetrators within its ranks, we are concerned this inquiry will be a missed opportunity to address wider failings across all police forces, as well as the broader societal issues underpinning male violence against women and girls.’
Read their full statement and list of demands here.
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid’s webchat service turned one earlier this year. The service has supported hundreds of women so far, but could support more. At the moment it operates Monday to Friday, we know that we are missing women who need this service to be available 7 days a week. To raise the additional money to extend the service into the weekend we’re encouraging our supporters to Walk it, or Work out this autumn.
The challenge?
walk or run 40 miles
or do 40 minutes of working out every day. That could be a boogie in your kitchen, walking the dog, doing the school run – you choose!
To get started head to the BSWA campaign page to find out more
FWFC members Katy Sadler and Sarah Taylor Silverwood joined Amelia Hawk on her podcast Otherwise Silent, talking about women’s safety in public space.
The conversation was sparked in part by the murders of Sarah Everard, Blessing Olusegun, Nicole Smallman and Biba Henry and how women are sharing their safety precautions, especially at night.
We also talked about abuse and harassment in schools and the need for education to be all encompassing and start by breaking down gender stereotypes.
Thank you so much Amelia for inviting us to be part of this discussion, go to the link on her website or to your usual podcast places to listen 🎧
Feminists Work for Change 