Brighton & Hove men are being urged to help end violence against women and girls as part of this year’s worldwide White Ribbon campaign.
The campaign asks everyone, but especially men, to take a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about male violence against women.
Many will be gathering at events around the city over the next two weeks or so to talk about how we can stand up in solidarity to oppose all forms of violence against women, and to figure out how such acts can be stopped in Brighton & Hove, and in contemporary society, through sharing personal experiences, building support networks, and discussing forward strategies.
The events around the city are free, so if you have been outraged by recent developments in sexual harassment scandals, if you’ve been engaged in vociferous debate, or are simply looking for a route out of despair, the get yourself along to one of these events and show your support.
Celebrating 16 Days Champions Session
The next Champions Meeting will be held as part of 16 Days of Action and will focus on sculpting the Champions programme for 2017/18. It will also a networking opportunity where Champions can meet others in the Brighton & Hove network to explore what is going well, as well as what we could work on moving forward after a successful first year. The meeting will be held in Committee Room 1 at Hove Town hall on Tuesday 28th November 2-4 pm. It may be a little early but mince pies will be provided.
Where: Hove Town  Hall, Norton Road
When: Tuesday 28th November 2pm-4pm
Cost: Free
For more information email [email protected]
Project Advisory Group Meeting for Sex Workers’ Outreach Project (SWOP Sussex)
The first PAG meeting bringing together relevant representatives from across Brighton and Hove and Sussex (invitation only) to oversee and support the expansion of the Sex Workers Outreach Project across the wider Sussex area.
SWOP Sussex aims to increase the safety and wellbeing of women involved in sex work; improve outcomes for women involved in sex work in relation to recovery from sexual violence and abuse; and improve outcomes for women with complex needs who are involved in the sex industry.
Where: Brighton
When: 28th November 11:30am
Cost: Free
More information: email [email protected]
Changing the Culture: Survivors’ Network Open Space
Survivors’ Network Open Space events are a wonderful way to meet new people, have conversations about an important issue in our community, and get to know the services offered by Survivors’ Network (the local Rape Crisis Centre).
After two successful previous Open Space events, this year’s topic will be on ‘Changing the Culture’. It’s up to you where we go from there, and what cultural changes you want to talk about. Do you want to discuss the culture of the mainstream media when dealing with sexual violence? Perhaps the culture of education around consent is on your mind, or the rising presence of sexual violence in popular culture. Maybe you’re interested in the overall culture of victim blaming that we see play out across various aspects of society, including in the courtroom?
Come along and bring your views and experiences to the table. This event is free and open to people of all genders and professions. You do not have to identify as a survivor to attend, but you do have to join us in creating as safe and creative a space as possible for discussion of challenging and potentially triggering subject matter.
Where: Friend’s Meeting House
When: 29th November, 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free (booking essential)
More information:Â click hereÂ
I Love Consent Because…
Open to young people aged 13-19
An event created by the Young People’s Centre to raise awareness of the importance of consent and healthy relationships, the session will be facilitated by the young women’s group at YPC.  Together we can stop rape by ensuring everyone knows when they have sexual consent – and when they do not. Sex without consent is rape. Rape happens to people of all genders and sexualities. About 92 percent of victims are female and eight percent male. Most rapes occur between people who know each other in some way.
When: 30th November 2017, 4pm – 6pm
Where: Young People’s Centre, 69 Ship Street, Brighton.
Cost: Free
For more information click here
Our Encounters with Stalking Conference
OUR ENCOUNTERS WITH STALKING is an awareness-raising event that will commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Stalking Law Reform with the launch of an internationally available publication written by survivors and professionals drawing on their experiences of stalking.
Part of the PCCS Books `Our Encounters With…’ Series, this is a powerful testimony of the destructive, sometimes fatal, effects of stalking on its victims. With an introduction by the author Peter James, himself a victim of stalking, the book foregrounds the experiences of those who have been (and are still being) stalked. It offers a unique insight into the commonalities of experience and a platform where people who have, in many cases, been driven into silence and anonymity are able to write openly and angrily about their battles to stay sane and re-establish a life free from their persecutor. The book is in three main sections: Professional and third sector; the police and the courts; first-person accounts of the experience of being stalked, its impact on the victims and those around them. The book concludes with a summary of the main themes and conclusions, a reflection on some of the editorial conversations between the editors of the book, and a list of helpful resources and information.
Where: Hilton Metropole Hotel, Clarence Suite, Brighton
When: 30th November 4pm – 8pm
Cost: Free (Booking essential)
To register your interest in this event email [email protected]
Learning Together to Safeguard the City- Safeguarding Adults Conference
The conference is for staff and managers who support adults at risk of abuse or neglect. This includes Adult Social Care, Health, Police, Community Safety Partnership, Housing, not for profit and further relevant organisations.
The Conference features a mix of presentations and workshops designed to suit the wide range of people involved in safeguarding adults.
It is free of charge to attend. For more details and to book your place, please go to the learning gateway.
When: 1st December 9am- 4pm
Where: Brighthelm Centre, Brighton
Cost: Free (Booking essential)
For more information click here
Drum Out Abuse March
Based on the 18th Century practice of Rough Music where villagers would surround the house of a known abuser and bang pots and pans to shame them into change, marchers made it clear that domestic abuse will not be tolerated in our communities.
10 years on domestic abuse is still prevalent in Brighton & Hove so RISE feel it is time to reprise the march and really make some noise.
Come one and all, bring your pots and pans, your drums, whistles and any noisemakers. Bring banners and bangers (not fireworks!) and join RISE on a short march from the Level to RISEFest at the North Laine Brewhouse on Gloucester Road.
Where: From The Level to RISEFest at the North Laine Brewhouse
When: 9th December 1pm
Cost: Free
RISEFest
Join RISE to celebrate 16 days of activism with RISEFest, a collection of performers and speakers lending their voices to deliver the message that Domestic Abuse & Violence is not OK and will not be tolerated. Suitable for all the family.
Enjoy:
- Live Music
- Cake Sale hosted by Brighton Belles WI
- Raffle
- Face painting and crafts
- Speakers
- Special craft ale with proceeds to RISE.
Thanks to the local artists who have all donated their time to RISE.Where: North Laine Brewhouse, Gloucester Road, Brighton
When: 9th December 2pm-7pm
Cost: £5 suggested donation on the door (cash only)
Winter Tales with RISEUp Singing and friends
You are invited to  a warming wintery evening of story and song – from Japanese winter haikus to forgotten wassails, from ancient bard to modern wordsmith, and close harmony crooning to Nordic modal yodelling!
Attendees will be joined by nationally acclaimed percussionist Rosie Bergonzi and more special guests to be announced
Where: One Church, Gloucester Place, Brighton BN1 4AA
When: 12th December 7pm-10pm
Cost: Tickets are £7.50 in advance, or £10 on the door (cash).
You can click here to buy tickets
To find out about activities in previous years, follow the link below:
- Archived content:Â 16 days of action 2016
- Archived content:Â 16Â days of action 2015
- Archived content:Â 16 days of action 2014
- Archived content:Â 16 days of action 2013
More information
To find out more about our strategy to end violence against women and girls, as well as our work with men, click here.
You can also find out how to get help and, if you want, report a crime or incident, by clicking here.