Take Action: How You Can Help End Violence Against Women
Starting today, 2025, ask yourself this: When you come across the words Violence Against Women online, do you stop and take notice, feel interested in reading further about the subject, or simply scroll past? Many of us have become desensitised to the many harsh realities of today’s society. Senseless violence against women has dominated our social media feeds for far too long: news reports of yet another domestic homicide, widespread outrage over another femicide in the street, or campaigns pleading with the government for meaningful change. You probably know the statistics: in 2020, for instance, some 47,000 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or other family members, according to the United Nations. That works out at a woman or girl being killed every 11 minutes by someone in her own family. Indeed, in a new report published in November 2024, they claimed a woman or girl is killed by a member of her own family every 10 minutes. Can you see beyond the numbers? For many women, these facts and figures are not revelations; they are simply painful reminders of what they have endured and the strength it took to survive. You know, violence against women is not inevitable. Women shouldn’t have to live their lives in tears at the brunt of male violence, constantly adjusting their routines to keep themselves safe, and wondering whether they can still trust the police and others who are supposed to protect them. Here’s how you personally can help end violence against women: Listen to survivors It takes a lot of strength for victim survivors to speak about their experiences. I urge everybody to approach these moments with trust, empathy, and genuine compassion. Most importantly, listen carefully. It’s not just about what someone says—it’s often about how they say it or even what remains unsaid. I also urge everybody to believe survivors. If we are not concerned by the multitude of reasons preventing so many victim survivors from coming out of the shadows, then we probably need to have a huge rethink about whether we even care about ending violence against women. One in four women will face domestic abuse in their lifetime, yet survivors’ experiences are too often dismissed, trivialised, or ignored. This failure to believe them directly endangers all women. Believing someone brave enough to share their story is a powerful act that acknowledges the depth of this crisis. Educate yourself Why was she so drunk, or why was she dressed that way, if she did not want attention?If he treated her so badly, why didn’t she leave him much earlier?Why did it take her so long to speak about the abuse? Most of us unconsciously harbour various myths and misconceptions about violence against women, which may spread a culture of normalised violence. Probably the best counter to such beliefs is educating ourselves on the issue, through paying closer attention to news, reading relevant books and conducting research, or listening to some of the great podcasts out there. Call out your friends I believe, this one is most relevant to us men. If you hear one of your friends crack a misogynistic joke that clearly indicates a toxic mindset, why not call them out on it? You don’t have to fall out about it; it can be as simple as saying, “Hey, really?” You might be surprised how effective a simple questioning of someone’s comment can be. Speak up There are many ways to speak out against violence against women, from having open conversations about the issue to sharing informative and impactful content on social media. If you discuss this subject with others and start to think someone you know is being abused, help them to realise that free and confidential support is available from several specialist support organisations in their area. Believe, support, and encourage them, offer unconditional help, and never ever judge them. Volunteer Our time has become more and more valuable, so all of us need and want to invest it wisely. If you wish to dedicate some of your time to helping, rest assured that whatever your skills or passions, there is always an opportunity to support one of the many great organisations out there. I know your support, in whatever form, will be deeply appreciated and can truly make a difference. Disengage from rape culture Rape culture, described by Rape Crisis England & Wales as a “society where sexual violence and abuse is normalise, played down, and laughed off,” pervades all parts of life. Rape culture thrives when it goes unchallenged; let’s oppose those people with highly patriarchal, toxic, and fundamentally wrong opinions and mindsets. Promote healthy relationships and better sex education It is obvious that prevention is by far the most effective way of ending violence against women and girls, and this must begin with better education surrounding sex and relationships (RSE). Many experts in this field from around the world are calling for schools and colleges to provide RSE from the age of 16 years, or even as early as 14 years. This level of education should also come from loving parents. Parents of boys should emphasise how a kind and respectful man conducts himself. Parents of girls, likewise, should highlight to their daughters what a loving and healthy relationship is all about and, importantly, what acts or behaviours by a male partner are inappropriate, alarming, or even dangerous. Fundraise You don’t need to break world records, run through deserts or the Arctic, or take part in a world-famous marathon. Nor do you need to raise millions of pounds, dollars, or euros. In many developed countries, raising just £50 can provide a woman and her child with a night’s stay in a refuge—a small act that can make a life-changing difference. Every contribution helps, and every contribution is deeply appreciated. Use social media wisely Social media is essentially a virtual cesspit full of misogynistic rubbish. While it may seem unlikely to change, there are innovative digital ‘safe’ spaces where female victims
How to Tackle the Rise of Misogyny Among Young Men
The rise of misogyny among young men is an issue of significant concern. Harmful and even malicious attitudes, often disguised as “just banter,” are fostering a culture where violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains alarmingly persistent. This isn’t just about words; it’s about actions and the wider harm inflicted on society. Misogyny among young people is not a minor issue or trivial social nuisance —it actually leads to real-world harm. Alarming Trends: Misogyny in Schools Misogynistic attitudes and behaviours are becoming increasingly normalised in schools. Teachers frequently report incidents of sexist language, harassment, and even violent bullying. According to the Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (2021), 90% of girls and nearly half of boys have experienced unwanted sexual comments, touching, or sexist name-calling in school environments. This troubling normalisation was further exposed by Everyone’s Invited, which gathered more than 15,000 anonymous testimonies of sexual harassment and abuse in 2022. These accounts underscore a pervasive culture of misogyny that demands urgent action. Why Is Misogyny on the Rise? Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube amplify misogynistic ideologies. We can also clearly see that influencers promoting toxic masculinity, victim-blaming, and regressive gender roles are normalising harmful attitudes and therefore fueling the rise in mishogony. A Girlguiding report found that 71% of girls aged 11 to 21 believe sexism is widespread on social media, with 35% having experienced harassment directly. Social media algorithms, designed to maximise engagement, often prioritise and amplify such content, making it difficult for young people to escape. This claim is supported by a study by University College London (UCL) and the University of Kent found that TikTok’s “For You” page showed a fourfold increase in misogynistic content over just five days, normalising harmful ideologies among young people. This amplification of extreme content by algorithms can lead to the spread and normalisation of misogynistic attitudes, contributing to further harm. However, misogyny in schools mirrors broader societal issues. In the UK, over 1.6 million women experience domestic abuse annually, and a woman is killed by a man every three days. High-profile figures in politics, policing, sports, and entertainment often engage in misogynistic behaviour without facing meaningful consequences. This sends damaging messages to young people, normalising harmful attitudes as acceptable. Four Ways to Combat Misogyny 1- Challenge the Opinion, Not the Person When addressing toxic views, avoid confrontations that may be perceived as personal attacks. Instead, encourage critical thinking with open-ended questions like: Where did you hear that? Do you think the source is reliable? How might this viewpoint affect others? This approach promotes reflection without triggering defensiveness. 2- Encourage Active Bystander Behaviour Empowering young people to safely challenge misogynistic behaviour can make a significant difference. Brook (formerly known as the Brook Advisory Service) provides a helpful framework, known as the 5 Ds: Direct: Confront the behaviour directly, e.g., “That’s not okay.” Distract: Change the topic or redirect attention. Delegate: Report the incident to a trusted adult, such as a teacher or parent. Delay: If immediate intervention feels unsafe, check on the affected person later. Disapprove: Use non-verbal cues, like walking away or showing disapproval, to convey your stance. 3- Promote Positive Male Role Models It helps boys and young men to witness male role models engaging in acts of healthy, respectful behaviour. These examples prove to them that kindness, empathy, and equality are true strengths. By seeing and following such positive role models, they are encouraged to challenge toxic stereotypes and instead embrace a more inclusive and empowering interpretation of masculinity. 4- Educate Yourself and Others Understanding the influencers, trends, and narratives that shape young people’s views is crucial. To ensure that any discussions we have with them are meaningful and effective, we need to engage with them in environments where they feel comfortable and receptive to our efforts. A Call to Action and Commitment Reducing violence against women is both an urgent priority and a long-term commitment. Tackling misogyny, whether online or offline, is essential but most certainly not sufficient. We must address the needs of young boys and men who have been exposed to abuse or violence, breaking cycles that might otherwise lead to further harm. Equally, we must challenge entrenched patriarchal mindsets that perpetuate inequality and violence. Clear, enforceable laws are also vital. Police must investigate every act of violence against women thoroughly, and courts must impose sentences that reflect the severity of these crimes. Building a society rooted in respect and equality is challenging but achievable. It requires urgency, focus, and decisive action—not just words. It is up to us to halt the rise of misogyny and, one day, put an end to it entirely. Do not forget, that you too can take action to help end violence against women. For women seeking to take proactive steps to improve their personal safety, my book, NEVER A VICTIM – The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety, offers practical strategies, empowering advice, and a trauma-informed perspective.