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16 Days of Activism 2024

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 

16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence is an annual international campaign that takes place from the 25th of November, the International Days for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10th of December, Human Rights Day.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the widespread issue of gender-based violence and mobilise individuals and organisations worldwide to take action. During these 16 days, various events, campaigns, and activities are organised to advocate for the rights of women and girls, promote gender equality, and highlight the urgent need to prevent gender-based violence in all its forms. 

As The STAR Centre is deeply committed to feminist activism and the eradication of sexual violence, we are holding, and participating in many events all over Ayrshire during the 16 day period.

You can support The STAR Centre’s lifesaving work by reaching out to your local representatives and urging them to commit to stronger efforts in the fight against sexual violence. You can find a template email here.

Lighting the Viaduct

On the evening of the 25th of November, East Ayrshire Council will light up the viaduct orange to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The colour symbolising hope and a brighter future free from violence against women and girls. 

Reclaim the Night March

Held during 16 Days of Activism, the Reclaim the Night March is an annual protest march advocating for the right of women, girls, and marginalised communities to move freely and safely at night without the threat of violence.

Originating in the 1977, in response to poor and misplaced advice from police that women stay indoors after a series of violent attacks. This march was a bold statement against victim-blaming and marked the beginning of powerful, ongoing global movement. 

A number of Reclaim the Night Marches are being held throughout Ayrshire, during the 16 Days of Activism.

Click below to see when the march your local area is being held!

North Ayrshire

 

Date: 03/12/14

Time: 5PM

Meeting At: The Portal, Irvine, KA12 0AZ

 

South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire's Reclaim the Night March 2024

Date: 26/11/24 

Time: 5:30PM

Meeting At: Ayr Academy, Ayr, KA8 0SZ

East Ayrshire

Date: 26/11/24 

Time: 5:30PM

Meeting At: Tesco Extra, W. Shaw St, KA1 4BS

 

The STAR Centre Information Stalls

The STAR Centre is also proud to be participating in the 16 Days of Activism Fairs, across Ayrshire College campuses. 

If you are an Ayrshire College student, we invite you to come by our stall and learn more about our services, ask questions, and get information on how we can support survivors of sexual violence across Ayrshire.

This is a valuable opportunity to connect with out team, understand the resources available, and find out how you can join the movement to end gender-based violence.

We’d love to see you there! 

Ayrshire College - Kilwinning Campus

Location: Lauchlan Way, Kilwinning, KA13 6DE

Date: 28/11/24

Time: 10:00 - 13:30 

Ayrshire College - Ayr Campus

Location: Dam Park Building, Ayr KA8 0EU

Date: 26/11/24

Time: 10:00 - 13:30 

Ayrshire College - Kilmarnock Campus

Location: Hill St, Kilmarnock KA1 3HY

Date: 27/11/24 

Time: 10:00 - 13:30 

 

Festival of Learning

We are also excited to take part in East Ayrshire VAWG Partnership’s Festival of Learning.  This series of free webinars offers a unique opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding around gender-based violence, support survivors, and learn about local resources available in our community.

Our webinar will be held by our Sexual Violence Prevention Worker, Emma on her specialism the ‘Manosphere’.

This session will explore the online communities where misogynistic beliefs are shared and reinforced, how it operates, and the ways it is relevant to individuals working in the VAWG sector. 

Date: 04/12/2024

Time: 13:00 - 14:00 

Click here for tickets!

See below for more webinars in East Ayrshire’s Festival of Learning!

More Webinars

Improvement Service: Safe & Together

Explore learning from implementation of the Safe & Together model in Scotland and the impact of domestic-abuse informed systems, services, and workforces.

Date: 26/11/24

Time: 10:00 - 12:00 

Click Here

 

CSE Aware: Women with Learning Disabilities Involved in Selling or Exchanging Sex

A free event where we will shed light on women with learning disabilities and their involvement in selling or exchanging sex in Scotland. The event will bring together experts who will share case studies and good practice examples.

Date: 28/11/24

Time: 11:00 - 12:45

Click Here

 

Improvement Service: Online Misogyny & Young People

Explore approaches to understanding and addressing the risks of online misogyny and abuse for young people in Scotland.

Date: 28/11/24

Time: 14:00 - 16:00

Click Here

 

EA Women’s Aid: Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

Learn about technology facilitated gender-based violence and what to do if you or someone you know experiences it.

Date: 02/12/24

Time: 13:00 - 14:00 

Click Here

 

Improvement Service: Women’s Political Representation

Explore the barriers to political participation and representation for women and girls, and how this is related to tackling violence and abuse.

Date: 03/12/24 

Time: 10:00 - 12:00 

Click Here

 

Improvement Service: Children’s Rights & Court Processes

Explore the link between embedding children’s rights and tackling VAWG in Scotland, particularly in the context of court process and justice responses.

Date: 04/12/24

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

Click Here

 

Improvement Service: Honour-Based Abuse

Explore the current work to raise awareness and improve responses to so-called ‘Honour’-based abuse for women and girls in Scotland

Date: 05/12/24 

Time: 14:00 - 16:00 

Click Here

White Ribbon Stalls Across East Ayrshire 

As part of our commitment to ending gender-based violence, we’re proud to support charity campaigns like White Ribbon. Throughout East Ayrshire, White Ribbon stalls will be set up and hosted by Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) specialists and trained volunteers who will be there to provide resources, information, and an opportunity for everyone to stand against violence against women and girls by signing the White Ribbon pledge. 

Stall Locations & Times

You can find the White Ribbon stalls at the following locations and times: 

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This #TransAwarenessWeek we've created a series of infographics which explain some key terms related to gender, so we can all have a better understanding of the diverse experiences within the trans+ community💖 Trans or Transgender is an inclusive umbrella term for anyone whose gender identity or gender expression does not fully correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth. Credit to @lgbtiscotland for their fantastic LGBTI glossary which can be found on the link in our bio for anyone that wants to know more!
🌈✨ Trans Awareness Week ✨🌈 Trans awareness week runs from the 13th-20th of November. 💖 At the STAR Centre, we offer free and confidential support to anyone who has experienced any type of sexual violence, at any time in their lives. This includes trans+ survivors of sexual violence, who deserve compassionate care and a safe space to heal. 🌟 #TransAwarenessWeek #SupportSurvivors #EndSexualViolence
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🌙✨ Reclaim the Night 2024, November 26th 2024✊ This #16DaysOfActivism Join us for a powerful march to raise our voices against gender-based violence, harassment, and all forms of oppression. The night belongs to us all! 🌙 **Event details**: 📅 Date: 26/11/24 ⏰ Time: 5.30pm 📍 Location: Leaving from Tesco Extra’s Car Park, W. Shaw St. Kilmarnock, KA1 4BS. Teas & coffees available @ WG13 afterwards. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends! The more voices, the stronger the message. Together, we can create change. 🌟 Let’s make some noise! 🔊 #ReclaimTheNight #EndGenderBasedViolence #SafeNightsForAll #Solidarity #MarchForChange
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Sadly, The STAR Centre is currently unable to accept any new advocacy referrals as we focus on processing the existing ones and recruiting additional staff. We will reassess this situation in early January 2025, with the hope of reopening to new referrals at that time. Please feel free to check back with us in January if you still seek assistance in reporting a sexual crime to the police or need help deciding whether to report. Other support available If you have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last seven days, you can self-refer to Archway Glasgow by phoning 0141 211 8175. There, specially trained female professionals can offer you: a forensic medical examination, emergency contraception and pregnancy testing, screening for sexually transmitted infections and support if you choose, to give a full statement to the police. The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline offers confidential short-term, crisis and initial support by phone, email, webchat and text. The phone, email and webchat support is free and texts will be charged at your normal network rate. Calls to the helpline do not show on your bill. The helpline supports people of all genders living in Scotland aged 13+ who have been affected by sexual violence. It doesn’t matter what happened or how long ago, and you don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. We support survivors, as well as family, friends and supporters. Get in touch any day between 5pm – midnight: Call: 08088 01 03 02 Text: 07537 410 027 Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk Webchat: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk You can also access lots of helpful resources on our website for survivors, young people, and friends and family https://www.starcentreayrshire.org/survivor-resources/ Please accept our apologies for any difficulties this causes and be assured we are doing everything possible to reopen our Advocacy Service.
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