Candlelit Vigil – South Glos
Wednesday 21st November 2018 at 3pm

To mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Next Link Domestic Abuse Services and SAFE Link Sexual violence services are inviting people to join its candlelit vigil to highlight the number of women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Rape and Sexual Abuse. The vigil highlights the United Nation’s International Elimination of Violence against Women’s day.

The vigil will take place at the front of Kings Chase Shopping Centre Regent Street, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8LP.

Here, at 3pm, Next Link’s CEO Carol Metters will say a few words and two larger candles will be lit by survivors to symbolise the two women who are killed each week by a violent partner. There will also be a minutes silence for gatherers to pay their respects to those whose lives have affected by domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault.

Carol Metters, Chief Executive of Next Link, said: “Two women die and one child loses its mother every week, in the UK as a result of Domestic Abuse. What is also deeply disturbing is that many incidents of Domestic Abuse are not reported. This is also the case with rape, we know that one in three women will experience rape or attempted rape yet statistics show that 40% of women who are raped tell no one about it. The purpose of the candle lit vigil is to raise public awareness of domestic abuse and rape and let victims know the services that can help them.

It is important that women know that that if they are experiencing domestic abuse or if they have been raped or sexually assaulted that it is not their fault and there is help available to make them safe just call Next Link on 0017 9250680 or SAFE Link on 0333 3231543.”

Please come and join us!
If you would like to join the procession – bring a jam jar or portable tealight holder – tealights will be provided.

Facts about Domestic Abuse and Rape:

• 2 women per week are killed in England and Wales by a partner or ex-partner.
• 1 in 4 women will experience Domestic Abuse at some point in their lives. 1 in 8 will experience it during the next year.
• Domestic violence accounts for almost a ¼ of all violent crime.
• 30% of domestic abuse starts during pregnancy.
• Domestic Violence occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, wealth & geography.
• On average a woman will be assaulted by her partner or ex-partner 35 times before reporting it to the police.
• In 90% of incidents involving domestic abuse, the children are in the same or the next room. (Hughes 1992)
• 1 in 5 women aged 16 – 59 experience some form of sexual violence

For more details contact Sarah.O’[email protected] or [email protected]

Candlelit March – Bristol
Thursday 22nd November at 4.30pm

The procession will leave Next Link, 5 Queen Square BS1 5JQ at 4.30pm and make its way to College Green
click here for details