Date published: 2025-11-25 | Category: Communities and volunteering, Focusing on prevention, Public Health
A global campaign to end violence against women and girls has been highlighted by local partners at the first domestic abuse annual stakeholder event in Bath.
The B&NES Domestic Abuse Partnership held the event at Bath’s Guildhall on November 19 ahead of the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign supported by the United Nations which begins today (November 25).
The event heard powerful testimonies from survivors of domestic violence and updates on the local support available for victims of abuse from organisations including the University of Bath, Southside, Voices and the council’s housing team.
The programme also featured practical workshops highlighting the hidden impacts of domestic abuse and the need for partners to provide co-ordinated, trauma-informed approaches.
Becky Reynolds, the council’s Director of Public Health and Prevention and Chair of the B&NES Domestic Abuse Partnership, said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating impact and affects every part of our community. No one should live in fear. By talking about domestic abuse at this event we’ve started to reduce the stigma people can feel about it. It’s strengthened our ability to listen, learn and act together. By sharing expertise and hearing from survivors, we aim to make sure that support is accessible and effective for everyone who needs it.”
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community, opened the event and said: “Today’s event shows the power of partnership working and listening to survivor voices. We want to help make sure that no one in Bath and North East Somerset is, or feels, alone.”
Lucy Fordham, Operations Director at Southside, said: “The survivors’ speeches were powerful and deeply moving, reminding us that domestic abuse is everyone’s business. As one survivor said, ‘For years I was silenced; not just by him, but by a system that mistook my fear for conflict and my caution for paranoia. But I am speaking now, because silence is the soil in which abuse grows.’ We all have a responsibility to engage, listen and act.”
Anyone worried about violence, abuse or neglect can report their concerns about a vulnerable adult or a child, directly to the council or to Avon and Somerset Police. In an emergency, call the police on 999. Get help with problems related to domestic violence or abuse
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