Sixteen days of action
16 Days of Action (also known as 16 Days of Activism) against Gender Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November 2020 and runs until 10 December 2020.
The 16 Days Campaign is an organising strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and to:
- raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
- strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women
- provide a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies
Over 6000+ organisations in approximately 187 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign since 1991, with a reach of 300 million.
You can learn more about the campaign on the 16 Days campaign website.
Our Gender Based Violence strategy
The University and Student’s Union have been working together, alongside external partners to deliver a joint Gender Based Violence strategy, initially launched at the end of December 2016.
The strategy commits the University and the Student’s Union to “take all steps within their power to prevent, tackle and respond appropriately and supportively to incidents of sexual violence - in all its forms - that may affect our students, staff and those who use our facilities and services”.
In order to raise awareness of the 16 Days of Action Campaign, we would like to take the opportunity over the next 16 days to focus on some of our achievements and work underway.
At the end of the 16 Days we will be asking staff and students to give us feedback on our achievements and what our priorities for action should be over the next three years.
Our current work
- We are committed to tackling gender based violence (GBV). Find out more about our joint approach with Stirling Students' Union, support available and external resources.
- We have a dedicated network of SVMLOs (Sexual Violence and Misconduct Liaison Officers) who support staff and students who have experienced GBV. Find out what they can help with and how to access support.
- We would urge all Stirling students to complete our new online GBV module – Don’t Be a Bystander, Be a friend. Learn more about your role in contributing to a zero tolerance approach to gender based violence culture at the University.
- The University will support any member of our community who discloses GBV. We also recognise that sometimes students and staff might want to seek external support. There are many organisations out there who can help. See the support available from external agencies
- All University staff members have access to Well Online – an online wellbeing support tool for all employees. The site includes a number of articles specifically relating to domestic violence and advice and guidance on how to get help.
- Students and staff can report an incident of GBV, harassment or abuse, and can find out how to access support here using our new Report and Support Tool. We recognise this can be a difficult time and providing the support you need is of utmost importance to us.
- In partnership with Forth Valley Rape Crisis, we have developed a set of guidelines for staff on how to respond to disclosures of gender based violence and sexual misconduct. This guidance has been developed to support those not professionally trained to take disclosures or offer expert support in this area.
- The University will support any member of our community who discloses GBV. Students and staff can find out more about how to report an incident of GBV to the University and what is involved.
- Gender based violence can affect anyone – friends, family, flatmates - so the University has developed some guidelines on how to support a survivor of GBV.
- Find out more about the role of an SVMLO (Sexual Violence and Misconduct Liaison Officers). We will be hosting a session on MS Teams where students and staff can learn more about the SVMLO network and the important role they can play in supporting students and staff who have experienced incidents of gender based violence. Sign up here.
- They may not be on campus right now but Rape Crisis Forth Valley (@fvrapecrisis) are still available to provide staff and student support. Find out more about their services.
If you have been affected by sexual or gender based violence and you want to talk to someone about your options, or get support please access our webpages for a range of support available.