A Salisbury organisation is set to play a significant role in raising awareness about domestic abuse.
Salisbury Soroptimists will lead the effort to mark the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which aims to eliminate violence against women and girls.
This year, the campaign kicks off on Monday, November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs until Tuesday, December 10, Human Rights Day.
The theme for this year's campaign is UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.
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This includes encouraging businesses to train staff on recognising domestic abuse and offering bystander training to equip people to intervene in potential situations.
The organisation has also arranged self-defence workshops and conducted surveys to identify poorly lit areas, the results of which were used by Wiltshire Council to devise improvement strategies.
The campaign will start with the Guildhall being lit up in orange on November 25.
Shoppers at Five Rivers, Waitrose and Salisbury Library will see table displays, while Mothers' Union branches will set up shop window displays using empty shoes to represent women lost to domestic abuse.
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Post boxes will also be adorned with new toppers, and parks will feature posters raising awareness about domestic violence.
A special service at Salisbury Cathedral on Tuesday, November 19 at 12pm will support the UN campaign.
The service, organised by the Mothers’ Union Diocese of Salisbury Cathedral, will be led by the Bishop of Salisbury, and all are welcome.
The guest speaker is Sam Murphy from FearFree, who will discuss counselling and support services provided on behalf of Wiltshire Council.
A charity screening of Are you there God? It's me, Margaret will take place on Wednesday, December 4 at St John's Place, with proceeds going to Salisbury Women's Refuge.
From December 5-10, a Christmas tree festival at St Thomas' will feature a tree decorated in orange highlighting domestic abuse awareness.
On Saturday, December 7, Soroptimists will be in various coffee shops around the Market Square for a morning of chatting and raising awareness.
The 16 Days of Activism will also see the relaunch of Operation Awake, a joint initiative by Salisbury Soroptimists and Wiltshire Police.
The scheme, first launched in July 2023, supports women in public life who are receiving abusive emails and social media posts.
By taking part in these events, Salisbury Soroptimists aim to raise awareness and implement measures to prevent violence against women and girls.
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