Brighton & Hove City Council is once again taking a stand against violence towards women and girls as the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign begins on Tuesday, November 25. To mark the start of the global initiative – and the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – the council will raise the White Ribbon flag above the city.
Running until December 10, which is observed as Human Rights Day, the campaign shines a light on one of the world’s most widespread and persistent human rights violations. In the UK alone, an estimated 2 million women are subjected to violence by men each year, while offences such as stalking, harassment, sexual assault and domestic abuse affect one in 12 women in England and Wales. Recorded cases have risen by 37% in the past five years, underscoring a crisis many are calling a national emergency.
The 16 Days campaign also marks White Ribbon Day, part of a global movement encouraging men to speak out and lead by example in preventing violence. This year’s theme, “We speak up,” highlights the role men can play in challenging harmful attitudes and fostering cultures of safety and respect. Throughout the campaign, stories from 16 White Ribbon Ambassadors will be shared, spotlighting men from all backgrounds committed to change.
Brighton & Hove City Council says it is proud to support the White Ribbon Campaign and is encouraging people of all genders to become ambassadors or champions. The aim is to challenge social norms that enable violence and to promote long-term cultural change. Supporters are invited to make the White Ribbon promise: never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
Community Event at Jubilee Library
As part of the campaign, a special event will take place at Jubilee Library from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday, November 25. Local organisations working with survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking will be on hand to offer information, advice and support. Attendees can connect with:
Brighton Women’s Centre, Cranstoun, Equinox, Hersana, Hourglass, Network of International Women, RISE, Stonewater, Survivors Network, Sussex Police, Switchboard, Veritas Justice, Victim Support
“Silence is compliance”
Councillor Sam Parrot, lead member for violence against women and girls at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Violence against women and girls is not a women’s issue; everyone must be part of the solution. Victim blaming must stop. We should all challenge this whenever we see it. Silence is compliance.”
“Men can and must play a role in tackling this behaviour, but allyship must go further than that. We should all be modelling true equality in everything we do.”
Cllr Parrot reaffirmed the council’s commitment to its VAWG strategy, including amplifying the voices of people with lived experience and embedding trauma-informed approaches across council services.
Support and Advice
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or any form of violence, support is available:
Victim Support: 0300 323 9985 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Cranstoun: Support for people concerned about their own abusive behaviours
Samaritans and Rethink Mental Health: Help for anyone feeling at risk of self-harm as a result of abuse.
Tuesday, November 25
- Community Bystander Intervention Training (7–9pm, online)
Hersana leads a free workshop teaching people how to safely challenge misogyny, discrimination and harmful behaviour in everyday life. Tickets - Domestic Homicides and Suicides in Later Life (2–3.30pm, online)
Hourglass hosts a panel exploring the often-hidden impact of domestic abuse on older people, including findings from recent research and case reviews. Tickets - Fundraising DJ Set for the White Ribbon Campaign (7pm, Hand in Hand pub, Brighton)
An evening of music and community to raise money and awareness for the White Ribbon Campaign.
Friday, November 28
- The Black Femme Experience of the Digital World (10–11.30am, online)
A workshop examining how AI, digital control and tech-facilitated abuse disproportionately affect Black femmes, and how to respond to emerging threats. Tickets - Reclaim the Night March (6pm, from Brighton Station to Pavilion Gardens)
The annual feminist march returns, uniting the community in a call for safer streets and an end to gender-based violence. - Piece It Together Comedy Night (8pm, Puzzle Bored, Brighton)
A night celebrating women in comedy and raising funds for Survivors’ Network. Tickets
Tuesday, December 2
- LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Awareness Coffee Morning (11am–12pm, online)
LGBT Switchboard hosts an informal session exploring how domestic abuse affects LGBTQ+ communities. Tickets - Happily Never After: Understanding Post-Separation Abuse (10am–12pm, online)
Training centred on survivors’ experiences—particularly Black femmes—highlighting the realities of ongoing control and harm after leaving abusive partners. Tickets
Thursday, December 4
- Grievable Bodies: Race & Remembering in Domestic Homicide (2–4pm, online)
A powerful session examining how Black femmes lost to gender-based violence are made invisible in media, state responses and public memory, and calling for systemic change. Tickets
Monday,December 8
- Cranstoun Stall (10.30am, Friends Meeting House, Brighton)
An opportunity to meet Cranstoun staff and learn more about their long-standing work supporting people affected by abuse.
Further information on events and workshops running during the 16 Days of Activism can be found on the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
