Free from violence
Public awareness campaign
2021
In 2021 for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-based Violence we shared this information—Let’s all Recognize the Signs.
The campaign taught the public how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence, how to help, and ways to safely check in with someone in an abusive relationship—such as a family member, a co-worker, a neighbour, or member of our community.
After over 40 years of listening firsthand and assisting victims and survivors, we know how intimate partner violence, sexualized violence, and emotional abuse happens routinely within the privacy of their home—hidden from public view.
We called on everyone to collectively make sure that community based services such as BWSS are available to assist survivors of violence because they tell us that they feel safer going to anti-violence organizations rather than calling authorities including the police.
The campaign also provided resources including interactive, personalised safety planning tools, a toolkit called “How do I help my friend?”, and invited survivors, victims, and allies to share what signs they look for.
Campaign Impact
The campaign received outstanding media coverage and shares through social media
What does it take to end gender-based violence? It takes everything we’ve got. I am sharing @EndingViolence “How Can I Help a Friend” toolkit & safety plans so we can recognize the signs https://t.co/cVusiP4AnH #16Days #16DaysofActivism #16DaysofActivism2021
— Angela Marie MacDougall (@_AngelaMarieMac) November 25, 2021
What does it take to be free from violence? Everything We've Got. And YOU. https://t.co/xY0TJVVCgK via @endingviolence
— Judy Hageman (@BFrei129) November 25, 2021
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for “Youth Survivors and Dating Violence: Let’s all Recognize the Signs” to kick off the #16DaysOfActivism to end #GenderBasedViolence. Thank you to our speakers for sharing their brilliance. Learn more: https://t.co/UFnnofIOlN pic.twitter.com/B36zJIlX6j
— BWSS (@EndingViolence) November 26, 2021
#DYK: @EndingViolence in #Vancouver receives over 18,000 inquiries annually from victims of violence who they assist with:
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) December 2, 2021
🔸crisis support
🔸housing & employment
Let’s amplify organizations like BWSS who need volunteers & resources everyday to keep helping victims. #16Days pic.twitter.com/vU3nRh69Jq
What can we do to help end #GenderBasedViolence?
— Kᴀᴛʀɪɴᴀ Cʜᴇɴ (@KatrinaCBurnaby) November 30, 2021
👂Listen+learn
👄Speak out
💕Believe+support survivors
💪Support organizations working to end violence like @EndingViolence
👊Intervene + find a safe way to help when you see/know acts of GBV
#OurActionsMatter #16Days pic.twitter.com/hlSxxroM7o
Marking #16days of activism, let's take the time in learning to recognize signs of abuse. @EndingViolence has resources on learning how to help and ways to safely check in with someone:https://t.co/o0Uthc6ki7
— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) November 25, 2021
Day 10 of 16 Days of Activism on gender-based violence & we’re asking: When you’re thinking about abusive relationships, what are the signs you pay attention to? Share with us here ➡️ https://t.co/UFnnog0pdl #16Days #16DaysofActivism #16DaysofActivism2021 #EndViolence pic.twitter.com/MzxKQHh8Ok
— BWSS (@EndingViolence) December 4, 2021
Campaign Outcomes
Campaign was shared widely on social media
Increased awareness about how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence, how to help, and ways to safely check in with someone in an abusive relationship
Increased access to physical and digital resources and safety planning tools for victims and survivors.