To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Safe in Faith has a released the following joint statement with the National Board of Catholic Women and the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).
The 25th November marks the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG.) Each year, this day begins a 16-day period of global action to raise awareness and work towards ending violence against women and girls. As Catholics, we are encouraged to raise awareness of this issue, take part in events and activities, social media and educational campaigns, and support organisations that work to end these kinds of violence.
Rates of violence against women and girls are increasing around the world; One third of all women have been subjected to gender-based violence at some point in their life. A recent UN study found that every ten minutes, a woman somewhere in the world is murdered by a man.
During these 16 days, we also raise awareness of non-physical forms of violence, and the one in three women subjected to coercive control. Links to information about domestic abuse are at the end of this document.
The focus of this year’s UN campaign is digital violence, the growing threat of abuse through digital images, technology based stalking and harassment or the use of AI to control or threaten victims/survivors of domestic abuse. Links to information about digital abuse are also available at the end of this document.
During these 16 days of action, across the Catholic Church in England and Wales we are also raising awareness of the additional barriers to safety and challenges faced by women with minoritised identities or migrant status. Language barriers, culturally insensitive support or institutional racism create barriers to safety and support. Migrant women with no access to public funds not only cannot access statutory support, but they cannot report abuse without risk of deportation; a fact which is often exploited by their abusers.
Over recent months, anti-immigration campaigners have been spreading the false message that increased violence against women and girls is the result of migration. We firmly reject the suggestion that migrants pose a risk to women and girls in the UK. In fact, over 90% of assaults against women are perpetrated by someone they know, usually a partner or ex partner. There is no evidence that increased rates of migration are related to violence against women and girls.
As Catholics, we are called to take action against gender injustice and racial injustice . Pope Leo XIV, in Dilexi te has said that ‘inequality is the root of all social ills’ and calls us to work towards a just and inclusive society, which includes welcoming and protecting migrants: ‘In every rejected migrant is Christ himself.’ The late Pope Francis described domestic abuse as ‘satanic’ and called for action ‘with determination, urgency and courage’ to address violence against women.
As Catholics we can take action not only during this period of global action using our 16 day calendar of activities as a guide. We can also use the resources in the links below to answer the calls of Pope Leo and Pope Francis to work towards a society where all people have equal dignity and where every woman can be safe, no matter what her background.
We invite all Catholics to stand together in prayer, solidarity, and action during these 16 days. Let us be a voice for those who cannot yet speak freely, and work tirelessly to build a Church and a society where every woman and girl can live free from fear and harm.
Take action with our 16 Days of Activism Calendar.
If you feel unsafe at home or are worried about someone else contact:
- The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hours): 0808 2000 247
- Life Fear Free Helpline (Wales): 0808 8010 800
- Rape Crisis (24 hours): 0808 5000 2222
- Southall Black Sisters Helpline (specialist support for Black & Minoritised women): 0208 571 0800
- Muslim Women’s Network Helpline (culturally sensitive, multi-lingual support): 0800 999 5786
- Latin American Women’s Aid (specialist support for Latin American women): 020 7275 0321
- Gallop (specialist support for LGBT+ people): 0800 999 5428
If you are worried you may be hurting the people you love, contact:
Respect Phoneline: 0808 8010 327
For information about digital abuse, visit: https://refugetechsafety.org/
End Notes
Safe in Faith
Safe in Faith is a project of Caritas Westminster addressing domestic abuse and gender-based violence in faith settings. We offer training and resources for Catholic clergy, parishes and schools as well as interfaith groups of counsellors, psychotherapists, domestic abuse workers and other professionals. Our “Ask for Mary” project helps equip parishes to be safe spaces where people in danger can safely access the phone or internet to seek help
National Board of Catholic Women
The National Board of Catholic Women brings together women from many different backgrounds. Working nationally and internationally to challenge discrimination and promote the right of women to gender justice. The Board actively promotes the presence, participation and responsibilities of Catholic women in the Church and society. The Board works ecumenically, with women of other faiths and secular groups. There are also many member organisations that bring their expertise, interests and networks to the wider Board. The Board is a consultative body to the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and the United Nations Social and Economic Committee (ECOSOC). In 2020 the Board created a new committee to focus solely on issues relating to Violence Against Women and Girls to sit alongside their other key work areas.
Caritas Social Action Network
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) was established by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. CSAN shares in the mission of the Catholic Church, committed to tackling the causes of poverty, promoting justice and restoring dignity. It works towards this vision by convening and animating alliances of member charities involved in the social mission of the Church, leading on the formation of those involved in social action, and raising a prophetic Catholic voice in the public arena. Since 2023 it has convened the VAWG & Domestic Abuse Alliance, supporting churches and Catholic organisations to better understand and respond to violence against women and girls, and work in solidarity with other faith-based organisations towards a shared vision of gender justice.
