Gloucestershire 16 Days of Action to Raise Awareness of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

A multi-agency campaign to raise awareness of DASV, the role of technology and to stand against abuse

Friday 25th November 2017- Saturday 10th December 2017

Campaign Coordinator: Sophie Jarrett, Strategic County DASV Coordinator.

Communications Leads: Gloucestershire Constabulary Natalie Stephens Andrea Lamb Stephanie Butcher

1 Background Each year Gloucestershire participates in the International 16 days of action against gender- based violence; starting on the 25th November (International day for the elimination of violence against women) and ending on 10th December (Human rights day).

For this year’s 16 days of action, the multi-agency Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Commissioning and Implementation group have agreed a focus on raising awareness through technology (Inc. social media) and how technology plays a role in abuse. The awareness period will also include activities that raise awareness of domestic abuse and Sexual Violence in general as well as in relation to the theme of technology.

As we increasingly use the online world and technology in our lives, it offers opportunities not just for the better, but also increased opportunities for abuse, control and coercion. With 82% of the adult population using the internet daily in the UK1, it is therefore important that the public and professionals understand how the online world can be abused, how it can be used safely and understand acceptable online behaviour.

In January 2017, Safe Lives published a research paper entitled ‘Tech vs. Abuse’. This report surveyed 200 survivors of abuse, of which almost half indicated they had been controlled and monitored online, with technology openly acknowledged as a tool for abuse by those people who support victims.2

Research conducted in 2016 by Delanie Woodlock3 also found that technology ‘was used to create a sense of the perpetrator’s omnipresence, and to isolate, punish, and humiliate domestic violence victims’. It was also used to threaten victims with the sharing of personal sexualised content online in a bid to humiliate or discredit the victim.

The role of technology in stalking is also significant, with many stalkers able to use technology to assist their stalking behaviour, such as geolocation tracking, monitoring social media etc. Some stalkers will also solely cyberstalk their victim, and never demonstrate their behaviour in the offline world; this however, can be just as distressing to the victim as offline stalking.

Whilst technology can be utilised to further abuse, it can also be an enabler for the victim to escape isolation and seek the support they need. It is therefore important that professionals understand how best they can advise victims on safe online behaviour, but also, that online resources and information are accessible to victims.

Technology and social media are also key in raising awareness of DASV, and will form the basis of the campaign.

Campaign Aims 1. To raise awareness of how technology can be used in cases of DASV, how online safety can be achieved and how victims can seek the support they need. 2. To raise awareness of what constitutes acceptable online behaviour and how inappropriate behaviour can be reported.

1 ONS, 2016 2 Tech vs. abuse: http://safelives.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Tech%20vs%20abuse%20report.pdf 3 D.Woodlock, 2016. The Abuse of Technology in Domestic Violence and Stalking

2 3. To engage with the community to increase awareness and encourage the public to stand up against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence and to promote healthy relationships.

Campaign deliverables  Roll out the UK Says No More campaign in Gloucestershire, asking professionals and the public (Inc. businesses and sports clubs etc.) to stand against DASV. This includes social media posts with people posing for pictures with their pledge against DASV.  Development of a series of videos providing advice and guidance on the use of technology, its impact in relation to DASV and acceptable online behaviour. Videos to be released on social media platforms and available at www.glostakeastand.com  Web-content detailing safe online behaviour and advice about reporting and seeking support.  Distribute purple ribbons throughout the county to raise awareness of the 16 days of action and encourage people to display their pledge to stand against DASV.  Individual organisations and districts to plan activity to raise awareness of DASV and promote their service: o GRASAC Reclaim the Night March o Diocese of Gloucester workshops to faith groups (with GDASS and Police) o Gloucestershire Sisters ‘Walk a mile in her shoes’ event o ‘Hard-core Hate’ panel discussion re: pornography o Commemorative event for female victims of male violence o Splitz sculpture display and awareness of Turnaround Programme o Blooming Strong Campaign: GDASS, GRASAC and Nelson Trust. Flowers and awards to celebrate emotional strength and resilience of women. The campaign will also aim to fundraise for these organisations. This campaign is coordinated by Standing Together against Domestic Violence.

Campaign Strapline

Gloucestershire has a zero tolerance approach to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Key Messages  Join us in standing up against DASV and saying ‘No More Excuses’.  Throughout the 16 days of action agencies will work together to raise awareness of the impact of technology on DASV, promoting acceptable online behaviour, staying safe online and how victims can report abuse and seek the support they need.  The community has a key role to play in standing against DASV, promoting healthy relationships and ensuring victims feels safe and secure in seeking the help and support they need.

Audience The campaign is targeted to raise awareness amongst everyone in the County to improve understanding of DASV and in particular the impact of technology, how to report and seek support. The campaign will however look to focus its efforts on the following:  Members of the public and in particular, potential victims of DASV, their family and friends

3  Businesses  Sports clubs  Schools, youth clubs  Community centres  Organisations and professionals who come into contact with potential victims of DASV such as: police, health, social care, housing, youth support, schools, local authorities etc.

Media Plan/Calendar of events (will continue to be updated as new events are planned and listed on www.glostakeastand.com)

Date Activity/Event Lead agency Comms lead Audience 2nd November Gloucestershire University event: The War Gloucestershire Louise Livesey Gloucestershire on Women in Bosnia: Survivors Speak Out University Public/businesses https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-war- and organisations on-women-in-bosnia-survivors-speak-out- across the county. tickets-39100603959?utm- medium=discovery&utm- campaign=social&utm- content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm- source=cp&utm-term=listing Throughout 16 UK Says No More campaign: social media Police Stephanie Butcher Gloucestershire Days of Action pledges Sophie Jarrett Public/businesses and organisations across the county. Throughout 16 Video series and online information Police Stephanie Butcher Gloucestershire Days of Action Sophie Jarrett Public/businesses and organisations across the county. Throughout 16 Blooming Strong Campaign and GDASS GDASS Gloucestershire Days of Action fundraising for women’s sector GRASAC GRASAC Public organisations Nelson Trust Nelson Trust Throughout 16 Series of client led creative workshops at Nelson Trust Nelson Trust Women’s Centre Days of Action the women’s centre using technology to Women’s Centre Women’s Centre: Clients document and exhibit their work. Tina Hall Alongside this; raising awareness amongst the women of the role of technology in domestic abuse with advice on how to reduce risk and stay safe. Throughout 16 Splitz perpetrator relapse prevention Splitz Turnaround Splitz Turnaround Gloucestershire Days of Action group art installation throughout the Programme Programme: Laura Public districts depicting their journey and role of Kavanagh technology in abuse TBC Video of women’s experiences and display Nelson Trust Nelson Trust Gloucestershire of arts and crafts Women’s Centre Women’s Centre: Public Tina Hall 24th November Reclaim the Night March GRASAC GRASAC: Louise Gloucestershire Williams Public/businesses and organisations across the county. 25th November Walk a Mile in her Shoes Event Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Sisters Sisters: Sadia Hameed 26th November Film Screening: Banaz, A love story @ Gloucestershire Gloucestershire

4 Sherbourne Cinema Sisters Sisters: Sadia Hameed 27th November Domestic Abuse Workshops Diocese of Diocese of Church of England 28th November Gloucester Gloucester: Becca clergy, safeguarding 30th November Faal leads for parishes 1st December and those that help or lead with groups for children and vulnerable adults. 9th December Hard core Hate events Critical Sisters Critical Sisters: Jo Gloucestershire https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hardcore- Bartosch and Sadia Public/businesses hate-tickets-38156429909 Hameed and organisations across the county.

Advice to all agencies on media coverage Please do contact the local media about your events, however we ask that you:  Use the key messages from this campaign plan within your release and the ‘glostakeastand’ logo.  Use this standard text as part of the release: ‘This activity is taking place as part of the 16 days of action campaign, as Gloucestershire joins forces to take a stand and raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence and in particular the impact of technology. Visit www.glostakeastand.com for more information’.  Any draft press release to be issued as part of this campaign must be signed off by Sophie Jarrett who is acting as the campaign coordinator, to ensure consistency of message to maximise impact.

Social Media Coverage Gloucestershire Constabulary will lead on the social media coverage for the campaign, including arranged video messages. We ask that your agency re-tweet/share these messages where possible on your own organisations social media platforms.