16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

  • It’s estimated that 1 in every 12 women will be a victim of gender-based violence each year
  • 83 per cent of female residents surveyed in 2023 reported behaviours that made them feel unsafe
  • In Tower Hamlets (2023-2024) there were 4,519 domestic abuse offences reported by the police

We are committed to working with statutory and community organisations to prevent violence against women and girls and reduce the harm it causes to individuals, families and the community as a whole.

White Ribbon day

The White Ribbon Campaign encourages men to wear a white ribbon and pledge to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women. Please sign the White Ribbon pledge, which can be found on the White Ribbon website 

16 days of activism against gender based violence

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism, the international campaign against gender violence.

The council and our partners utilise the 16 days of activism to raise awareness of gender based violence and the support available for victims and perpetrators.

  • If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can access support locally through Solace on 0203 795 5064. 
  • If you are worried about how you are treating your partner or family member, you can access support through the Respect helpline on 0808 802 4040

 

Check the support available for victims of violence against women and girls.

Events in the community

This year (2024) our teams will be out around the borough engaging with residents about gender based violence and offering advice and signposting to support services. You can find our teams, including enforcement officers, out at the following times and locations:

28 November

1-3pm

Chapter Spitalfields

Spitalfields

29 November

7.30 – 9.30pm

THEO’s out anti spike covers, personal attack alarms.

Transport hubs / night time economy areas

5 December

1-3pm

Safety Surgery – VAWG based (engagement bus)

Bethnal Green West

3 December

12pm – 2pm

Safety Surgery – Mile End Uni

Bethnal Green East

 Wider events for residents and stakeholders

Dates Time Event/Activity Lead/Contact Location Status
Mon 25th
November
9am – 4pm • ‘It Starts with Men’ Stall
• Stall erected in Tower Hamlets Town Hall Reception
• Well Being/Networking Morning - Partners, business, and other organisations working in VAWG and/or Woman’s Safety stall holders
• Tower Hamlets Town Hall – Orange
Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Tower Hamlets Town Hall Reception Open to all
Tues 26th November 09.30am – 12.30 pm •VAWG Champions course Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual  Closed – sign up full
10am – 12pm  • Shewise – Art Exhibition relating to domestic abuse in South Asian communities Sayeeda Ashrad
 sayeeda@shewise.org  
Tower Hamlets Council Town Hall Open to all
10am – 12:00pm  Understanding Economic Abuse with GamCare Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual Open - professionals 
10am – 12.30pm • Domestic Abuse Awareness workshop Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Stepney Community Trust Open to all
12pm – 1.00pm • LGBT+ Domestic Abuse – Lunch & Learn - Galop are hosting introductory sessions to highlight the unique challenges faced by LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse, as well as providing information on Galop’s services and referral pathways. Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual LGBT+ Domestic Abuse - Lunch & Learn 
1.30pm – 4pm • Sexual Abuse Awareness training Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Tower Hamlets Town Hall Open - professionals
Wed 27th November 09am – 10am • Parents coffee morning - VAWG workshop Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
  Closed to parents/staff at Culloden Primary School
10am - 12pm • VAWG / DA information Stall Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Whitechapel Idea Store Open to all
11am – 3pm • Solace Tower Hamlets online event (all day events) Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual Open to all
2pm - 3pm
• DA Awareness Training
Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Closed – Idea Store Staff
2pm – 4.30pm  • VAWG & Non-English Speakers Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual Open - professionals
 Thurs 28th November 11:00 - 12:30 •‘It starts with Men’ – Faith, Religious & Community Leaders Event Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Tower Hamlets Town Hall Grocers Wing Open to all -
Sign up via Eventbrit
Fri 29th November 10am – 11.30am • Domestic Abuse Awareness Session Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
John Smith Family Hub Closed – parents at Stay & Play session 
10am-12.30pm • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Awareness training with Sister Circle Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual Link
1.30pm - 3pm • Domestic Abuse Awareness Session Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Marner Family and Children Centre Closed – parents at Stay & Play session
Sat 30th November          
Sun 31st November          
Mon 2nd December   10am – 12pm • VAWG / DA information Stall Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Canary Wharf Idea Store Open to all
10am – 1pm • Speech & Language Department – Domestic Abuse Awareness  Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Mile End Hospital Closed
Tues 3rd December 9:00 – 10:00 • Parents coffee morning – VAWG / DA  workshop Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Blue Gate Fields Infants Closed to parents/staff at Blue Gate Fields Infants
9.30am-12.30pm • Black, Asian and Minoritised Young Women and Girls & Sexual Violence with nia Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual Open – professionals
12pm – 1pm • LGBT+ Sexual Violence Lunch and Learn with galop.org.uk Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Virtual LGBT+ Sexual Violence Lunch and Learn
12pm – 2pm • Safety Surgery at Mile End Uni Serita Myers Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Joshuah Codjoe
Mile End Campus  
2pm-3pm • DA Awareness training Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Closed – Idea Store Staff
Wed 4th December 10am – 12pm • VAWG / DA information Stall Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Bow Idea Store Open to all
10am – 12:30pm • Allyship & Misogyny Training Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
  Open to all
Thurs 5th December 10am – 12pm • Adult Social Care Domestic Abuse Awareness Training Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
  Open to all
12pm – 1pm • LGBT+ Hate Crime Lunch and Learn with galop Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
  Open – professionals
LGBT+ Hate Crime Lunch and Learn
2pm - 3pm • DA Awareness Training Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
  Closed – Idea Store Staff
Fri 6th December 10am - 12pm • VAWG / DA Information Stall Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
Chrisp Street Idea Store Open to all
10am-1pm • White Ribbon Women's Day of Empowerment
Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
RESET Recovery Support Service Closed
10am-11.30am • VAWG Champions Networking meeting Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Closed to VAWG Champions 
Sat 7th December          
Sun 8st  December          
Monday 9th December 10am - 12pm • VAWG / DA Information Stall Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Watney Market Idea Store Open to all
10am – 1pm • Intimate Partner Violence Serita Myers
Serita.Myers@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Open
2pm - 3pm • DA Awareness Training Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Closed – Idea Store Staff
Tuesday 10th December 13:30-16:00 • Introduction to Survival Sex Amy-Kate Garwood
Amy-kate.garwood2@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
LBTH Town Hall Open – professionals
2pm - 3pm • DA Awareness Training Shahanaz Begum
Shahanaz.Begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Virtual Closed – Idea Store Staff