by womensaidscot17 | Nov 6, 2024
Scottish Women’s Aid to Hold Online Vigil in Memory of Women and Children Who Have Died as a Result of Domestic Abuse.
Below you will find information about an opportunity to participate in SWA’s online vigil in memory of deaths from domestic abuse in Scotland – 5th December 2025
As part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, beginning on November 25th, Scottish Women’s Aid will be hosting its annual #ForThemAll online vigil, and we would be honoured to have your participation.
Now in its fourth year, our #ForThemAll vigil continues following the strong support we received in 2024. This event is held to honour the memory of women and children killed by abusive men, as well as women who lost their lives to suicide or other trauma stemming from their experiences of abuse.
The #ForThemAll vigil was created by Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group, a group of survivors from Scotland who identified the need for a safe, dedicated space to remember those lost due to domestic abuse. The group plays a crucial role in shaping our ongoing work in policy, practice, and advocacy.
A member of the Scottish Women’s Aid Survivor Reference Group shares her thoughts on the vigil – “It is a privilege to be part of the vigil and honour the women who have died from domestic abuse homicide and suicide. We won’t forget them and we will continue to campaign for better justice, safety and support for women and children impacted by domestic abuse and control.”
We hope you can join us in remembering all the women and children who have died because of domestic abuse and stand together against gender-based violence.
How to participate
The vigil will be held online, across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook on Friday 5 December at 7pm. We are asking our supporters to get involved on their own social media channels, either by lighting a candle and posting a photo with the hashtag #ForThemAll, or by using the vigil graphic provided below for use on the night. If you wish provide your personal reflections in your post. See below some example post content if you need it. Please tag @scotwomensaid in your posts.
The #ForThemAll vigil was created by Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group, a group of survivors from Scotland who identified the need for a safe, dedicated space to remember those lost due to domestic abuse. The group plays a crucial role in shaping our ongoing work in policy, practice, and advocacy.
A member of the Scottish Women’s Aid Survivor Reference Group shares her thoughts on the vigil – “It is a privilege to be part of the vigil and honour the women who have died from domestic abuse homicide and suicide. We won’t forget them and we will continue to campaign for better justice, safety and support for women and children impacted by domestic abuse and control.”
We hope you can join us in remembering all the women and children who have died because of domestic abuse and stand together against gender-based violence.
How to participate
The vigil will be held online, across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook on Friday 5 December at 7pm. We are asking our supporters to get involved on their own social media channels, either by lighting a candle and posting a photo with the hashtag #ForThemAll, or by using the vigil graphic provided below for use on the night. If you wish provide your personal reflections in your post. See below some example post content if you need it. Please tag @scotwomensaid in your posts.
Help us promote the vigil
We want to ensure that as many people as possible participate in this important night of remembrance. To help us promote the vigil before December 5, download the below graphic and share across your social media profiles.
Here’s an example post if you need it:
I will be joining the upcoming #ForThemAll online vigil with @scotwomensaid in memory of all the women & children who have died because of domestic abuse. See details below for how you can also participate in this night of remembrance and reflection during #16Days.
Support us on the night
To participate in the vigil on 5 December at 7pm – you can either post your own photograph of a lit candle or use the below #ForThemAll graphic.
Here’s an example post if you need it:
Tonight, I’m joining @scotwomensaid in remembering all the women & children who have died because of domestic abuse. During #16Days and beyond, we must reflect on what more can be done to tackle domestic abuse in all its forms and prevent further needless deaths. #ForThemAll
You can add the following information to help direct those seeking help – Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available 24/7. Call free on 0800 027 1234 or email and web chat at www.sdafmh.org.uk. You can also text or WhatsApp on 07401288595.
by womensaidscot17 | Jun 24, 2024
Every year over 60,000 domestic abuse cases are recorded by police across Scotland. This is just the tip of the iceberg and signals a nationwide tragedy that demands attention.
Participate in #HerFreedomScotland and help us build a groundswell of voices calling for improved responses to domestic abuse.
#HerFreedomScotland is all about getting creative and sharing your thoughts and experiences about what freedom from domestic abuse looks like on your social media. Let’s create a vision together of a Scotland with no domestic abuse, where women, young people, and children enjoy all their human rights and have equal opportunity to explore all their ambitions and aspirations. Here’s how you can be part of the campaign:
Step 1: Think of what freedom from domestic abuse looks like to you. You might have experienced it personally, know someone who has, or feel strongly about the cause.
Step 2: Now the creative stuff – our symbol for this campaign is a free woman’s shoes. Think about these shoes in the place that represents this freedom. It could be a home, a park, a mountain top, a peaceful room, a workplace, or participating in a hobby – somewhere where there was fear but there is fear no longer.
Step 3: Create whatever you like that’s visual – artwork, a photograph, an illustration, a textile, a sculpture, an animation, of the woman’s shoes in this place of freedom. If you wish, add children’s shoes too to represent their freedom. Your visual does not need to be perfect. It is a communication of experience and belief and that’s the most important thing! You can also include the #HerFreedomScotland logo as a stamp on your visual by using Canva or similar. This is optional. See the downloads below.
Step 4: The campaign properly kicks off on Women’s Equality Day (Monday 26 August 2024) and runs for a month till Thursday 26 September 2024. Post anytime during this period using the hashtag #HerFreedomScotland and tag us if you wish! Describe in your post why you’ve chosen your subject matter and the importance of supporting Scottish Women’s Aid in the fight for improved responses to domestic abuse. Encourage others to follow Scottish Women’s Aid to join the campaign and the movement. See some content template examples below to help with your posting. We will be sharing examples via our socials for inspiration during the campaign.
The campaign starts on Women’s Equality Day (Monday 26 August 2024) and will run for a month till Thursday 26 September 2024. You can post any time during that month and make sure you use the hashtag #HerFreedomScotland. Encourage others to participate in the campaign and/or share your post.
Feel free to copy any of the below post template examples to create your post content if you’re a bit stuck for words.
Example 1:
I’m participating in the #HerFreedomScotand campaign by posting a creative depiction of a pair of women’s shoes in a space that symbolises what freedom from domestic abuse looks like to me. My image depicts the freedom to XXX. Domestic abuse is a pervasive and tragic issue across Scotland and needs attention. Participate in #HerFreedomScotland and help Scottish Women’s Aid build a groundswell of voices calling for improved responses to domestic abuse. See how to participate here https://bit.ly/HerFreedomScot
Example 2:
I’m supporting Scottish Women’s Aid’s #HerFreedomScotland campaign which asks the people of Scotland to post an image of a pair of women’s shoes in a space that symbolises what freedom from domestic abuse looks like. My image depicts the freedom to XXX. Support Scottish Women’s Aid to fight for freedom from domestic abuse for the women and children of Scotland. Join in the campaign and follow Scottish Women’s Aid. See how to participate here https://bit.ly/HerFreedomScot
Example 3 (X/Twitter):
I’m participating in the #HerFreedomScotand campaign by posting a creative depiction of a pair of women’s shoes in a space that symbolises what freedom from domestic abuse looks like. My image depicts the freedom to XXX. See how to participate here https://bit.ly/HerFreedomScot
Click on the images below to download the #HerFreedomScotland logo for use with your chosen image by using Canva or similar. This is not mandatory.
Scottish Women’s Aid is leading the
#HerFreedomScotland campaign and has been fighting for freedom from domestic abuse for the women and children of Scotland for decades. We challenge misogyny and patriarchy in Scottish institutions. In doing so we work to dismantle the drivers of women and children’s inequality that undermine their capacity to disentangle themselves from their abusers.
Want to help propel our work fighting for improved responses to women and children affected by domestic abuse? Donate today
by womensaidscot17 | Jul 5, 2023
by womensaidscot17 | Apr 22, 2022
Online Safe Spaces
‘Online Safe Spaces’ is a discreet portal that opens in a pop-up window, which can be installed on both internal and external websites. The service provides support, advice and helpful contact numbers for those at risk of domestic abuse. It leaves no internet history trace, and provides quick exit options for the person seeking information.
Online Safe Spaces provides a host of helpful links and information, including; when to dial 999, national helplines, local support groups and further useful links. It also includes a questionnaire to determine the participant’s risk of domestic abuse.
COMING SOON – Click on the Online Safe Space icon at the bottom of this page to access the portal.
If you would like to add an Online Safe Space banner to your website for free please get in touch.
About UK Says No More
UK Says No More is a national campaign focused on raising awareness of and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The campaign is facilitated by Hestia and delivered in partnership with over 400 organisations, charities, community groups and Parliamentarian Champions across the UK, who are all working together to bring an end to domestic abuse and sexual violence.
UK Says No More unites and strengthen a diverse community of members of the public and organisations nationwide to actively take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence under one powerful, visual symbol.
The campaign provides open-source tools and resources for individuals and organisations to take action and get involved in ending domestic abuse and sexual violence. Together we are challenging the myths and misconceptions around these issues, sharing resources and information, and ultimately working together to make real positive change.
About Hestia
Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the South East and is the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital. It is the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE and developed the Bright Sky domestic abuse app in partnership with Vodafone. Hestia has been providing support to those in crisis through safehouses, refuge accommodation and support.
About Cardiff Women's Aid
Cardiff Women’s Aid provides support, advocacy and aftercare services to women and girls who have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse. Founded in 1974, the Cardiff branch is one of the original Women’s Aid branches in Wales and supports on average up to 11,000 women and girls annually from the Cardiff and Vale areas.
About People's Postcode Lottery Fund
People’s Postcode Lottery Recovery Fund is supported by Postcode Innovation Trust, a grant giving body, funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery to fund charities delivering highly innovative, impactful, and engaging projects across Britain and further afield. The Postcode Recovery Fund has been created to support charities to develop innovative solutions that address the many issues affecting people as society recovers from the effects of the pandemic.
by womensaidscot17 | Oct 25, 2019
Improving Justice in Child Contact (IJCC) is a partnership project across five European countries (Scotland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania) and is being hosted by the University of Edinburgh.
The project’s aim is to improve how children’s rights are upheld in child contact systems, where the children have experienced domestic abuse. Together, the partners will find out what we can do better to effectively listen to children and young people and to make changes which ensure their safety and the safety of their mothers.
Each country will be exploring ways for children and young people to participate in their own particular context. Taking forward the learning and outcomes from two Scottish models – Power Up, Power Down, and the Children’s Rights officer, to develop their own individual needs. We will each work alongside key stakeholders in our home countries to examine and improve the barriers which stop children’s views being taken into account in child contact decisions.
To do this work effectively children and young people must be central to the project. Scottish Women’s Aid is fortunate to have a young expert group, Yello!, who support and guide the project. Each young expert has experienced domestic abuse and has taken part in previous participation models. They are uniquely positioned to advise partners on how best to involve and protect children and young people within their settings.
The project is also supported by Matter of Focus who are evaluating the progress and outcomes. The learning will be shared within each partner country and across the wider network and public.
You can read more about the project and hear directly from Yello! here.
If you would like further information, please do contact Sue McKellar, SWA’s IJCC Project Co-Ordinator.
The Improving Justice in Child Contact project is funded by the European’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)
The content of this webpage represents the views of the authors only and is their sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
