16 Days of Action

16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign run by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Learn more by visiting the United Nations webpage on 16 Days of Action.

Catcalling is sexual harassment and is illegal in the UK under the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023. The UK Government's Enough campaign has more information about how what to do if you hear someone being catcalled or receiving other unwanted sexual comments. If you have been catcalled and need support, visit Report and Support.

Domestic abuse is not always physical. Coercive control is psychological abuse. It's an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse. It's used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

Gaslighting, where someone manipulates you into doubting your own beliefs or sanity, is a form of coercive control. Women’s Aid have information on some common examples of coercive behaviour.

If you've been sexually assaulted it's important to remember that it was not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. The NHS have information on where to get help after being raped or sexually assaulted, including information on Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

Financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse and involves someone else controlling your spending or access to cash, assets and finances. This can leave you feeling isolated confidence, and trapped.

Money Helper has information on how to spot the signs of financial abuse and where to get support if this is happening to you.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a criminal offence. It is a form of violence against women and girls, and in the latter case it is child abuse. FGM is a procedure where the female genital organs are injured or changed and there is no medical reason for this. It is frequently a traumatic and violent act for the victim and can cause harm in many ways.

The National FGM Centre has information on how to spot signs that someone is at risk of FGM or that FGM has occurred, and how to access support.

‘Honour’-based abuse (HBA) is abuse motivated by the belief that someone in the family has brought shame or dishonour to the family or community. The abuse is committed to protect or defend the honourof the family or community.

It’s estimated that around 76% of victims of ‘honour’-based abuse are female. However, boys and men are also at risk. Reducing the Risk has more detailed information on ‘honour’-based abuse, including forced marriage.

There are many types of online abuse. These include cyberbullying, cyberstalking, trolling, creeping, and doxxing. Get Safe Online has further information on different types of online abuse. They provide advice on where to get help if you experience any type of online abuse.

Religious and spiritual abuse, in the context of domestic abuse, occurs when a victim is prevented from carrying out their religious or spiritual practices or are forced to engage in activities that are in conflict with their beliefs. 

Our religious and spiritual beliefs are entirely our own, and nobody has the right to make us act or feel otherwise. Living Without Abuse detail ways in which people can be religiously or spiritually abused and where to get help.

There are many parallels between LGBTQ+ people’s experience of domestic abuse and that of heterosexual couples. However, there are a number of aspects that are unique to LGBTQ+ domestic abuse. These include ‘outing’ as a method of control and abuse associated with sexual orientation or gender identity.

Reducing the Risk have a section within their Resources page on the LGBTQ+ community with organisations who can help.

An abuser can exert control and harm through food in many terrifying ways. They might feed their victims spoiled or otherwise inedible goods, refuse to buy or keep healthy foods, or disrespect allergy restrictions.

Parents and domestic partners can weaponise food in different ways. This can include overfeeding, underfeeding, disregarding special diets, or creating shame around food. Abuse Refuge Org have more information on food abuse and how to spot it.

New data from the British Transport Police (BTP) revealed over a third of women have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual offences while commuting by train or tube.

If you experience or witness sexual abuse or assault on public transport, BTP recommend reporting it (if you can) by texting details of what is happening to 61016. Rape Crisis England & Wales have a helpline for people over 16 who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Rape Crisis Scotland have the same.

Domestic violence has become the leading cause of foetal death. Around 30% of domestic abuse begins during pregnancy, while 40 to 60% of women experiencing domestic abuse are abused during pregnancy.

Tommy’s have information on accessing specialist support when experiencing domestic violence while pregnant

Studies show that people with disabilities are more likely to experience abuse than people without them. Abuse is premised on power and control, and people with disabilities often face specific barriers to accessing help that make them more vulnerable to abuse.

Non-traditional forms of abuse impacting people with disabilities can make it difficult to identify the abuse when it occurs, but the National Domestic Violence Hotline have information on identifying this type of abuse.

There is a significant connection between pets and domestic abuse. Pets can be a barrier for someone finding safety and are often used by perpetrators as a tool for coercive control. A survey by Dogs Trust Freedom in 2019 found that many survivors of domestic abuse had experienced their pets being abused, or their ability to care for their pets restricted.

Visit Dogs Trust Freedom for more information on pets and domestic abuse.

When wars break out, women and girls are disproportionately impacted by the conflict in a number of ways.

Gender norms can restrict women’s access to education and economic resources, exclude them from decision-making, and expose them to many forms of violence and abuse. Women are often the targets of systematic rape and sexual violence, which is used as a weapon to terrorise and destroy communities.

Women For Women have more information on women in conflict and abuse.