Salisbury Guildhall illuminated in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Salisbury City Council is pleased to be supporting Salisbury Soroptimists during their 2024 Orange the World and 16 Days of Activism campaigns.

Every year, the UNiTE campaign, Orange the World, highlights a specific theme to support the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This global initiative begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Salisbury Soroptimists have been working on their project ‘Making our City Safer’ with an emphasis on improving safety for women and girls. This year, their campaign and the start of the 16 days of activism began with the lighting of Salisbury Guildhall in orange on Monday 25 November.

Look out for their post box toppers, table and window displays, and information posters on noticeboards in our parks and buildings around the city, all with the aim of raising awareness to prevent violence against women and girls.

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 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.”

For more information about what’s on during the 16 days of activism, please visit Salisbury Soroptimists’ website at https://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, please visit https://sigbi.org/salisbury/club-projects/orange-the-world/domestic-abuse/ or FearFree’s website at www.fearfree.org.uk

Photos taken by Spencer Mulholland.