Throughout the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse campaign (25 November – 10 December) organisations across Devon and Cornwall are hosting a number of awareness activities and events to help bring together communities, shine a light on the support available to victims and survivors and to campaign to end all violence against women and girls.
This year, there is also a wide range of awareness events taking place in Plymouth across the 16 days, and you can get involved. Perhaps you want to know more about how to help survivors to access support services, or just want to know more generally about the inequality that women face when it comes to incidents of violence, particularly in the home.
Thursday 28 November 2024
- 16:30 – 17:30: Fireflies installation at the Secret Garden – Elizabethan Gardens on the Barbican - The Secret Firefly Garden will feature a breathtaking display of illuminated fireflies, symbolising each victim’s light and resilience. As the garden lights up, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and the journeys of others affected by trauma, violence, and abuse. Find out more.
- 10:00 – 13:00: Understanding Coercive and Controlling Behaviour - 16 Days of Action - The training session is in honour of 16 days of action and will act as a pilot to inform training about Coercive Control in the future. Find out more.
Friday 29 November
- 13:00 – 14:00: Devon and Cornwall Police VAWG Strategy 2024 to 2027 - An overview of the police strategy to tackle violence against women and girls with a focus on stalking. Find out more.
Tuesday 3 December & Monday 9 December
- Sanctuary at Derriford Hospital - Sanctuary will be holding a stand outside L7 cafe aimed for raising awareness of VAWG and their services (3 December) and outside the main Concorde (9 December). Find out more here.
Friday 6 December
- 10:00 – 12:30: Animal Abuse as a Strategy of Coercive Control: Safeguarding People and Animals - This free training course aims to increase awareness about the dynamics of animal abuse as a strategy of coercive control used by perpetrators. Find out more.
- 12:00 – 12:45: Tricky Topics - How a VAWG recommendation became Plymouth’s campaign about online porn - Join Together for Childhood and Plymouth City Council’s Youth Participation Team for the launch of ‘Tricky Topics’ a new, free resource to support young people’s understanding and access to information and support with online porn. Find out more.
Monday 9 December
Monday 25 November
- 13:00: Come dance and join in with a flashmob – Princesshay, Exeter.
- 16:30: Reclaim the Streets Bideford – Meeting outside Bideford Library for a candlelit vigil to connect and share spoken word in honour of women and girls affected by violence and abuse. Hot beverages and a warm welcome will be provided.
Wednesday 27 November
- 10:00 – 12:30: Story Telling workshop – Barnstaple Library Foyer. Explore, reclaim or rewrite your story, and listen to some traditional folklore stories with strong female protagonists. Hosted by Professional Story Teller Katy Lee – Open to all.
Friday 29 November
- 11:30 – 12:00: Vigil and Petal Scattering – Square outside the Museum, Barnstaple. Organised by the Soroptimists. Everyone welcome.
- 13:00 – 14:00 An overview of the police strategy to tackle violence against women and girls with a focus on stalking – online event by Devon and Cornwall Police. To register please click here.
Saturday 30 November
- 10:00 – 11:30: Lady Gardener’s Arts for Empowerment – The Gardeners Co. in Arlington. Session for up to 15 women. Please book this free event in advance.
Sunday 1 December
- 16:00: “A Vigil Remembering Women taken from Us” – Meeting at the ruined gatehouse of Rougemont Castle, Castle Street, Exeter. A gathering as a sign of Respect for Women Murdered in the UK in the last year. An opportunity for each woman to be remembered with their names being read out and candles and flowers laid as a mark of respect.
Tuesday 3 December
- 11:00 – 15:00: Barnstaple Women in History Exhibition – The Shambles, Barnstaple Pannier Market. Open to all.
- 19:45: Short Video on Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence – Exeter City FC. Video to be shown at half time at their home game against Wycombe Wanderers.
Wednesday 4 December
- 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:30: Print making workshop – Barnstaple Library Room 2A. Print making workshop using imagery and slogans that support 16 Days of Action. Hosted by Double Elephant, a Devon based printmaking collective.
- 12:00 – 13:00: Active Devon’s Big Yoga event - streamed online and in some locations across Devon. Everyone welcome to take part either with friends or at home or in your workplace with colleagues.
Thursday 5 December
- 10:00 – 13:00: “Free your Frida” – CoLab Exeter. A headdress making workshop for the Reclaim the March in Exeter. Register by emailing colabwomen@colabexeter.org.uk.
- 10:00 – 16:00: Positive Lights – Sidwell Street, Exeter. 16 Days of Action Open Door Event where providers will be showcasing their work at the event.
- 18:15 – 19:30: Reclaim the Night Exeter – starting from Positive Lights Venue,184-187 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RD.
- 18:15 – 19:30: Reclaim the Night Barnstaple -A peaceful march around the town leaving from the Pannier Market.
- 19:30: Trauma Informed Boxing Workshop (no contact) – Barnstaple Pannier Market.
Friday 6 December
- 10:00 – 12:30 Animal abuse as a strategy of coercive control, safeguarding people and animals – online training. Training provided by Refuge4Pets and Links Network. To book a space please contact mary@refuge4pets.org.uk
Saturday 7 December
- 10:00 – 12:00: Yoga and Gong Relaxation Event – Barnstaple Library. Register through Active Devon.
Sunday 8 December
- 10:00 – 11:00: Tigerstyle Kickboxing Session – Exeter Community Centre.
Monday 9 December
- 10:00 – 11:30: Spotting the Signs of Domestic Abuse in young people and children. Join here.
Tuesday 10 December
- 10:30 – 12:30: J9 Training – Domestic Abuse Initiative Training for 16 Days of Action, delivered by More Positive Me CIC. For more information about the initiative, please click here. To sign up, please click here.
Monday 25 November
- 10:00 – 16:00 - High-street shop pop up event – Penzance. Organised by Safer Cornwall.
- 13:00 – 15:00 - Bystander training with public transport focus. Organised by Safer Futures / Barnardo’s. Located at Pydar House, Truro. Book here.
- 16:30 – 18:30 – Bystander training in the community – Camborne. Organised by Safer Futures / Barnardo’s. Located at Camborne Rugby Football Club. Book here.
Wednesday 27 November - Saturday 30 November
- Clear Voices event, artwork and poetry exhibition, organised by CLEAR. Located at CLEAR shop, 8 Cathedral Lane, Truro.
Friday 29 November
- 13:00 – 14:00: Devon & Cornwall Police VAWG Strategy 24-27. Organised by Devon and Cornwall Police. Book here.
Wednesday 4 December
- High-street shop pop-up event – Truro Christmas market. Organised by Safer Cornwall Partnership. Located at Truro Christmas Market, Boscawen Street, Truro.
Friday 6 December
- 18:00 - The Women’s Centre Cornwall Reclaim The Night event. Starts at Killacourt Bandstand, Newquay.
Monday 9 December
- 10:30am – 12:30pm - Bystander training in the community – St Just. Organised by Safer Futures / Barnardo’s. Located at St Just WI Hall.
- 15:00 – 17:00: Bystander training in the community – Penzance. Organised by Safer Futures / Barnardo’s. Located at Alverne Room, St John’s Hall, Penzance.
Tuesday 10 December
- 10:00 – 16:00: High-street shop pop-up event – Saltash. Organised by Safer Cornwall Partnership. Located at: Saltash community shop – CEPL12, Fore St, Saltash PL12 6JL.
