Cornwall’s 16 Days of Action: How You Can Help End Violence Against Women and Girls

A poignant poster featuring 19 pairs of shoes, each symbolising a woman in Cornwall who lost her life to gender-based violence or domestic abuse in the last four years, will be showcased at a series of pop-up events next week as part of the international 16 Days of Action campaign.

The campaign, running from Monday, 25 November, to Tuesday, 10 December, is calling on the public to join efforts to end violence against women and girls (VAWG). Organised by Safer Cornwall, Our Safeguarding Children Partnership, and the Safeguarding Adults Board, it offers a schedule of free events and training activities designed to raise awareness and provide actionable steps for individuals and communities.

Free Events Across Cornwall

The full line-up of activities is available on the 16 Days of Action webpage and includes:

• High street pop-up events in Penzance (25 November), Truro (4 December), and Saltash (10 December), where specialists will be available to provide information and resources.
• Bystander training sessions to equip participants with tools to respond effectively if they witness VAWG.
• Vigils and marches, such as Reclaim the Night in Newquay and a vigil and march in Penzance.
• Training events and webinars, including an overview of Devon and Cornwall Police’s strategy to tackle VAWG, with a focus on stalking.

Why This Campaign Matters

Statistics reveal the gravity of the issue in Cornwall, where around 10,000 reports of domestic abuse are made annually. Since 2020, eight women have been killed by men who were either their current or former partners, or a family member. A further six women who were victims of domestic abuse have taken their own lives, and five other deaths linked to domestic abuse are awaiting inquest outcomes to confirm suicide.

Thalia Marrington, chair of Cornwall Council’s working group on violence against women and girls, emphasised the importance of raising awareness:

“Violence and abuse thrive in silence and become normal when they go unchecked and unnoticed. This is why we are calling on everyone across our communities to stand united with us on this issue, help us raise awareness and support our ambition for change.

“The 16 Days of Action represent an opportunity to see and hear from the services that are out there offering support across Cornwall but are also an opportunity for everyone to gain more of an understanding of the issue, its root causes and to realise that to solve this, everyone must play their part.”

A Call to Action

Cllr Carol Mould, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, including community safety and the Safer Cornwall partnership, reiterated the urgent need for collective action:

“We are proud to stand alongside all those participating in the 16 Days of Action campaign to end violence against women and girls. Every instance of gender-based violence and each story shared by those with lived experience emphasises the depth and urgency of this issue. We must listen, we must believe, and, above all, we must act.

“This violence touches countless lives within our communities, and it demands our sustained and collective commitment. Together, through continuous action and the united efforts of individuals and organisations, we can strive to eradicate gender-based violence and create safer, more inclusive spaces for all.”

Learn More and Get Involved

Reports of domestic abuse and sexual violence are rising annually, with estimates suggesting one in three women in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be affected in their lifetime. Many incidents remain unreported, further highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action.

For more information on the campaign, events, and how you can get involved, visit the 16 Days of Action webpage. Support and resources are also available through the Safer Cornwall website.

Now is the time to take a stand and play your part in creating a safer Cornwall.