25th November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is a day when we are reminded that, worldwide, 1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, more often than not by somebody very close to them. Today gives us all the opportunity to remember those who have suffered and those who, tragically, have died as a result of these heinous crimes. I very much hope that it will encourage all of us to help people we know who might be living in the dark world of abuse and coercion. This will be particularly important in the build-up to Christmas – a time when, very sadly, domestic abuse increases.
But today is also a day that can give us hope. Together, we can and we must eliminate violence against women. Each one of us has a part to play, to do everything in our power to raise awareness, to ‘reach in’ to others, and to support, and be inspired by, those very brave survivors.
Violence against women is everyone’s problem; and the solution must be too.
