Raising awareness of #16Days of action to end gendered violence 

We’ve purposely launched our new website to coincide with the international 16 days of action to end gendered violence, which starts today on the 25^th November 2016.

16 days is NOT about saying that all men commit violent offences, or are any less deserving of support than women. We believe everyone has the right to live their life without fear of violence.

But 16 days recognises that women disproportionately continue to suffer violence, coercion and control and looks to raise awareness about the issue. For example, we know:

• Nearly half of women in the UK who are killed, are killed by someone they have been in an intimate relationship with (1)
• 89% of victims of sustained violence, coercion and control are women (1)
• 63% of women feel unsafe in public places (2)

Whilst Stepping Stones isn’t exclusively a charity to support victims of violence, this is something that has affected many of our adult clients, their children and families. So it is a matter very close to our hearts organisationally and personally to our staff and volunteers.

Last year 69% of our clients entering our service reported that they were or had been a victim of domestic or sexual abuse. For many women the impact of this abuse is long running  – it can and does affect their lives and their children’s lives for years to come.

We know how difficult it can be to walk through our front door.

You might have been referred by another organisation and be unsure about what you’re walking into and how you’ll be treated….

You might be seeking support yourself… but not be 100% sure that what you’re facing is abuse, or what support you might need…

You might be in a crisis situation… in fear of your life, or feeling scared and alone.

Whatever situation you’re in, we can guarantee that you will receive a warm welcome and will be respected and treated as an individual.

Over the next 16 days of action we’ll be posting daily and sharing news and stories about what we do here at Stepping Stones. I hope it will give you more of a flavour for who we are to make the first step through our door a little less daunting.

Katie Morgan

Stepping Stones Chief Executive