Today is the start of the 16 days of activism against domestic abuse campaign.

This day will be marked by venues across Dudley borough showing their support for ‘Orange the World’- the international day for the elimination of violence against woman and girls. 

Dudley Council House, Stourbridge Glass Museum, Dudley Zoo, Russell’s Hall Hospital, Merry Hill, and other venues will light up orange in support of the campaign. 

From 25 Nov to 10 Dec partner organisations of Safe and Sound, Dudley’s Community Safety Partnership will be sharing advice around abuse, as part of the Dudley Safe and Sound partnership. The campaign will raise awareness of different forms of domestic abuse and violence against woman and girls over 16 days, with a different theme each day.  

Domestic abuse can be physical, sexual, financial, emotional, psychological, controlling and coercive behaviour. A person is being abused if they are scared to be themselves or they don’t do things because they fear what their partner might do. 

With technology being increasingly weaponised to harm others, this year’s national campaign has an overarching theme of online abuse.

Digital abuse is real abuse. It can include non-consensual sharing of intimate images, harassment, AI generated deep fakes, grooming and catfishing.

You might not be directly affected by domestic abuse or gendered-violence but it is important that we all spot the signs. This campaign encourages everyone to speak up, be an upstander and not a bystander, and protect others who may be a victim of abuse, even if they don’t realise it themselves.

You are not alone – reach out for support and always call 999 in an emergency.

Dudley’s single point of contact is open to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour based abuse, stalking and sexual assault and abuse, including family and friends who are concerned about someone else.

For help and support call 01384 455411 (24 hours) or text/WhatsApp 07384 466181 (9am-9pm weekdays) people can also live chat with the SPOC team by visiting their website and looking for the chat icon.

Visit the safe & sound help hub for more on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls: www.dudleysafeandsound.org/domesticabuse