'Lift the Curfew' walk marks 16 days of action against gender-based violence

Article date: 6 December 2024

Under the theme "Shining a Light, Uniting Voices," the campaign serves as a powerful reminder that collective action is vital in overcoming gender-based violence.

Among the highlights of the campaign was the borough's first "Let's Lift the Curfew" walk, which took place last week (28 November) in Victoria Park. Set up by St Helens Borough Council's Active Lives & Sports Development team, this symbolic event brought together key stakeholders and local women's groups to stand united against gender-based violence.

Participants illuminated the evening with glow sticks and vibrant clothes as they walked around the park in solidarity, advocating for a future where everyone can feel safe and respected in their communities.

Let's Lift The Curfew is a campaign developed by This Girl Can, to showcase women's stories and concerns around staying active outdoors in the darker months. Alongside this, it calls on wider society to acknowledge their role in making outdoor activities safer for women, with their research showing that almost three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter.

Meanwhile, the council's leisure service staff have undertaken Bystander Intervention training, exploring how best to intervene safely and effectively when they see or hear inappropriate behaviour or language, how to de-escalate situations and reset social norms to create environments in which everyone can enjoy physical activity.

Throughout the 16 Days campaign, additional events were held highlighting the need for education, discussion, and reflective practice. Key activities included:

• Domestic Homicide Review Practice Learning Event at The World of Glass, emphasizing lessons learned from past cases.

• A Forum on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at St Cuthbert's Catholic High School, encouraging dialogue among police, community groups, schools, and stakeholders.

• Launch of a Winter Jog Club on Fridays at Sutton Leisure Centre, from the 13th of December, 5-6pm. Open to all, the £1 session will provide a safe space to stay active outdoors during the darker winter months.

• A Chrysalis Centre Discussion Group, gathering insights from survivors while emphasizing the importance of male allies in the movement against gender-based violence.

Tanya Wilcock, Director of Communities at St Helens Borough Council and Chair of the Domestic Abuse Partnership Board, said: "While it is important to equip women and girls to keep themselves safe, the 16 Days are also about engaging with men and boys to address social norms connected to masculinity, and challenge and change harmful gender stereotypes that can lead to violence against women.

"Transforming gender norms and tackling gender inequalities should form a key part of efforts to prevent violence against women and girls from happening in the first place, and engaging men and boys is a particularly important aspect of this."

In addition to the events, St Helens Borough Council is rallying the community to support the White Ribbon Campaign which aims to promote equality, safety, and respect, highlighting the responsibility we all share in ending male violence against women. Individuals - particularly men - are encouraged to make the White Ribbon Promise, to "never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women."

For more information and domestic abuse support visit https://safer.sthelens.gov.uk/crime-types/domestic-abuse/ and to make the White Ribbon Promise, visit www.whiteribbon.org.uk/.