Working together we can end violence against women
V-Day flash mob at Southbank Centre raises awareness.
1 Billion event image by Steve Rhodes on Flickr.
A group of people from all walks of life made their way to the Southbank Centre today, as part of V-Day’s One Billion Rising campaign for a surprise flashmob to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.
V-Day is a global activist movement set up on Valentine’s Day in 1998 to end violence against women and girls. The organisation uses creative events like this to shine a light on the work they do, and educate people around the world about the realities of this crime.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller said:
Violence against women and girls is unacceptable that is why campaigns like this are really important. In some countries women will be beaten, raped or abused in their lifetimes; there can be no progress when women live in fear of violence. One Billion Rising is important in raising awareness and inspiring others to stand up and fight to stop violence against women and girls.
Watch a YouTube video about the One Billion Rising campaign.
Challenging abusive behaviour
Last year the government introduced 2 new offences of stalking, launched the pilot of ‘Clare’s law’ and announced its intention to criminalise forced marriage and extend the definition of domestic violence.
Today, the Home Office re-launched the ‘This is Abuse’ campaign, which started in 2010, and a series of TV adverts have highlighted issues of controlling behaviour and rape in teenage relationships. The campaign aims to raise awareness amongst teens of what constitutes abuse and violence in their relationships, to try and change attitudes among girls and boys aged 13-18 and prevent domestic violence.
Further Information
Updates to this page
Last updated 15 February 2013 + show all updates
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Added a YouTube video.
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First published.