‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’, runs from November 25 to December 10 and seeks to raise awareness of gender violence as a human rights issue.
On November 27, Paws for Kids will hold their annual review at Bolton Library. There will be a theatre production of ‘Black Eyes and Cottage Pies’ by the Mad Theatre Company about domestic violence in teenage relationships and Cath Dunn-Cham from Broken Rainbow, will discuss violence in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities.
On November 24 and 25, The Octagon theatre in partnership with Bolton at Home will be putting on a production of ‘Seeing Red’ which has been written by a community organisation, Melodramatics. There will be two performances on both dates:1pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are free, but need to be reserved at the Octagon Box Office on 01204 520 661. Alternatively, you can book online viahttps://octagonbolton.co.uk/seeing-red-2#-BookNow
Each performance will have a post-show discussion, where representatives from local domestic abuse service providers will highlight their services and answer audience questions along with cast members.
On November 29 at 11am, there is also a Holcombe Moor Walk in Ramsbottom, in memory of Ellen Strange, who was murdered by her husband in 1761. This resulted in people starting a practice that is now over 250 years old: placing a stone in her memory on the murder spot. The walk will commence from Emmanuel Church of England in Ramsbottom and will take approximately 20 minutes to reach the site where Ellen was murdered.
A street art project called #ENOUGH has also been organised by YES Matters, a local community action group. Numbered white balloons will be displayed around Bolton to mark the number of women killed by male violence in the UK this year. On December 10, YES Matters is also organising the annual ‘Reclaim the Streets’ march, to highlight women’s right to be free from sexual harassment and right to safety. This march will leave from the Chancellors Mall entrance from the University of Bolton at 4.30pm. Anyone is welcome to join in and support the cause.
Fortalice, another of Bolton’s specialist organisations working to combat domestic abuse and violence, has also organised an Open Day at their support centre at 43 Bradford Street, Bolton on Thursday 26 November between 1pm and 3pm.
November 25 is also White Ribbon Day, which is part of a movement run by men to show their support of eradicating men’s violence against women - Bolton Council will be distributing white ribbons to all male councillors and male Chief Officers to wear on this day.
Councillor Derek Burrows, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “Violence against women is completely unacceptable and we are working with our partners to end it completely. We hope that the White Ribbon Campaign will encourage more men to condemn domestic violence and take a stand against it, whilst the theatre productions and exhibitions will hopefully raise awareness and encourage more women to come forward and report domestic violence and receive the appropriate support. This year we are taking extra steps to raise awareness within our ‘harder to reach’ communities, as we know reporting rates from these communities is low.”
Carole Marsden, Director of Paws For Kids said: “Domestic abuse has a real impact on people’s lives and affects all sectors of our communities. Statistics indicate that significant numbers of women, men & young people experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives. Victims may live with domestic violence for years before they tell anyone or seek help. Violence and abuse are choices that the abuser makes; it is never the victims fault.
We hope that the activities that have been organised help raise awareness and give people the confidence to come forward, report abuse, seek support and helping us as we endeavour to ensure that people can live lives free from domestic abuse”
