16 Days of Action

This year, White Ribbon Day is 25 November 2020 and the 16 Days of Action to end domestic abuse that follow is inevitably going to look different than in previous years. The importance of raising awareness and working together to prevent violence and abuse are more important than ever during the coronavirus pandemic and the inevitable restrictions this has resulted in.

Every year on White Ribbon Day thousands of people stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women. The 25th November marks the assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters who were political activists and advocates for women’s rights in the Dominican Republic.  The White Ribbon Campaign was started by a group of men in Ontario in November 1991 as a response to a massacre of female students at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989. The campaign was intended to raise awareness about male violence against women, with the white ribbon symbolising the idea of men giving up their arms. White Ribbon day is on 25th November to align with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, men are encouraged to wear the white ribbon for a week.

From the 25th, until Human Rights Day on 10th December during 16 days of action we ask everyone to recognise the need for us all to stand up and take responsibility in working towards a future without domestic violence and abuse.

Finding new ways to prevent and respond to domestic violence and abuse despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 is a challenge that we are asking everyone to consider and accept.

The Office of The Durham Police Crime and Victims’ Commissioner will be joining organisations across County Durham and Darlington taking part in the campaign and helping to raise awareness across the 16 days. Please keep an eye out across our social media channels from the 25th November and help us to share these vital messages.

You can hear from Nicole Jacobs, the Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales as she speaks today on the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

Nicole Jacobs - Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales