Salisbury Guildhall lit up to mark campaign against violence

Salisbury City Council is supporting Salisbury Soroptimists in their 2024 Orange the World and 16 Days of Activism campaigns.

The global initiative, which begins on Monday, November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on Tuesday, December 10, Human Rights Day, aims to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.

This year, the campaign began with the lighting of Salisbury Guildhall in orange on Monday, November 25.

READ MORE: Salisbury to mark 16 Days of Activism to eliminate violence against women

Salisbury Soroptimists Louise Topp, Edwina Berkeley, Carrie Walsh, Kathryn Furnell, Mona Ali, Rebecca Harwood Lincoln and Liz Batten outside the guildhall (Image: Salisbury City Council) Cllr Victoria Charleston said: "The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an opportunity to reflect on the serious crisis in our society.

"A woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK. Domestic abuse makes up 18 per cent of all recorded crime in England and Wales.

"In the year ending March 2022, there were 194,683 sexual offences, of which 70,330 were rape.

"I am pleased to support the Soroptimists in their work, raise awareness and signpost to support."

Salisbury Soroptimists have been working on their project 'Making our City Safer', with an emphasis on improving safety for women and girls.

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They said: "We hope that Salisbury citizens will take steps to find out more about how to recognise the signs that someone might be suffering abuse and how to help them reach out to organisations that can offer advice and guidance.

"We all have a role to play in preventing violence against women and girls."

People are also urged to look out for post box toppers, table and window displays, and information posters on noticeboards in the city's parks and buildings around the city, all with the aim of raising awareness to prevent violence against women and girls.

For more information about what’s on during the 16 days of activism, visit Salisbury Soroptimists’ website at sigbi.org/salisbury/club-projects/orange-the-world.

For information about support services available for anyone suffering domestic abuse or to learn what you can do to help, visit sigbi.org/salisbury/club-projects/orange-the-world/domestic-abuse or FearFree’s website at fearfree.org.uk.