Merton Council has joined forces with Merton Police to pledge support to an international anti-violence and abuse campaign with 16 days of events and social media this month.

The 16 Days of Activism against Violence and Abuse launches on Friday 25 November with two events in Mitcham and Morden, followed by a packed programme of information days, theatre, stalls and social media.

The campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December, aims to raise awareness of violence including domestic violence and abuse, child sexual exploitation, hate crime, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, stalking and harassment and encourage victims to get help. It launches on White Ribbon Day, organised by the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women.

There are a range of services available to victims of abuse and violence, which are available to both men and women.

The One Stop Shop is a confidential service which has drop-in sessions on Mondays from 9.30am to 12pm at Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden.

The council commissions specially trained independent domestic violence advocates who can help those in need.

If it is an emergency, always call the police on 999.

Councillor Edith Macauley, cabinet member for community safety, engagement and equalities said: “Merton is one of the safest boroughs in London, and we work hard with partner agencies including the Metropolitan Police to keep it that way.

I would urge anyone who is concerned about the issues highlighted as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence and Abuse campaign to seek help through the One Stop Shop, Victim Support or the police.”

Superintendent Steve Wallace of Merton Police said: “We want to further strengthen our robust stance on tackling domestic violence and abuse and hate crime in Merton. By working in partnership with Merton Council on the 16 Days Against Violence and Abuse campaign, we are hoping to connect with new groups of people and communities to raise awareness and promote the local help available to victims.”

Here is a list of the awareness events being held in Merton as part of the campaign.

Friday 25 November: A stall at Pollards Hill Community Centre, the New Horizon Centre, South Lodge Avenue, from 8am to 12pm.

Forward (Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development) will host a stall at the Civic Centre, Morden from 10am to 12pm.

Monday 28 November: A stall at Pollards Hill Community Centre, the New Horizon Centre, South Lodge Avenue, Pollards Hill from 8am to 12pm.

Merton’s One Stop Shop for domestic violence is held every Monday apart from Bank Holidays, from 9.30am to 12pm at Morden Baptist Church, Morden. No appointment needed.

Tuesday 29 November: Merton Centre for Independent Living will host a stall at the Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon from 11am to 1pm.

From 4.30pm there will be a free domestic violence and abuse play highlighting the issues and offering support to anyone affected. This showing has sold out but a further performance will be held on Tuesday 6 December.

Wednesday 30 November: A stall at the St Mark’s Family Centre, St Mark’s Road, Mitcham, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Thursday 1 December: Representatives will be at the Acacia Centre Café in Grove Road, Mitcham, from 9am to 1pm.

Friday 2 December: Stalls at Baitul Futuh Mosque and Morden Islamic Community Centre at about 12pm, and at the Mitcham Job Centre from 9.30am to 1pm.

Tuesday 6 December: Roadshow with Merton LGBT + Forum at Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon, from 2pm to 5pm.

An information stall at the Link Café at the Salvation Army Building in Crown Lane, Morden, from 9.30am to 12pm.

A second showing of the domestic violence and abuse play highlighting the issues and offering support to anyone affected. Held in the Civic Centre, Morden, from 4.30pm. Free tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/waking-up-dead-domestic-violence-and-abuse-play-tickets-27350990549

Wednesday 7 December: Stall at St Mark’s Family Centre, St Mark’s Road, Mitcham, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and at St George’s Church Hall in Central Road, Morden from 1pm to 5pm.

An information stall at Café Connect, Connect House, Willow Lane, Mitcham, from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Thursday 8 December: A stall at Age UK Mitcham, from 10.30am to 2pm.

Friday 9 December: A stall at the Polish Families Association, Colliers Wood Community Centre, from 10am to 12pm.

 

Notes for editors

The 16 Days campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December every year.

The 16 Days of Activism against Violence and Abuse is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

Participants chose the dates November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a human rights violation.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates, including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

The One Stop Shop is a confidential service for people experiencing domestic violence or abuse in Merton. It is held  on Mondays from 9.30am – 12.00 noon at Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5BL (closed on bank holiday Mondays) For more information call 020 7801 1777

Victim Support and domestic violence workers can be contacted on 020 7801 1777.

A full list of information services and advice is available online at www.merton.gov.uk/domesticviolence