16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

We support the annual international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which takes place from 25 November to 10 December 2025

We are committed to preventing all forms of gender-based violence and tackling it wherever it occurs.

Through our local 16 Days of Activism campaign, we aim to raise awareness, promote gender equality, challenge misogyny, encourage community conversation, and reaffirm our dedication to addressing gender-based violence across Croydon.

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10 December is Human Rights Day.

This period highlights that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a widespread violation of human rights globally. Gender-based violence refers to crimes such as rape, domestic abuse, stalking, and forced marriage, most often, but not exclusively, perpetrated by men against women.

 It is essential to acknowledge that many men and boys experience violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and ‘honour-based’ abuse.  (Honour-based abuse is a crime or incident committed to protect or defend the 'honour' of a family or community.)

See our calendar of events for 2025. This will continue to be updated 

For more information please contact Ciara.goodwin@croydon.gov.uk 

Tuesday 25th November 

NHSE London region VAWG conference 10:00am to 3:30pm

Organiser: NHS

  • More details: The NHS VAWG conference this year aims to provide health professionals with tips on how to manage instances where there is a VAWG concern, but statutory safeguarding threshold has not been met and yet a response is still required.

    We are fortunate to have secured speakers who will focus on:
  • Domestic abuse and chemical control (e.g. similar to the case of Gisele Pelicot)
  • VAWG, misogyny and radicalisation
  • Non-fatal strangulation / Suffocation- Exploring conversations in consent, coercive control and safeguarding
  • Staff Sexual Safety within Health Spaces
  • VAWG, Harmful Practice and Professional Curiosity

Please be advised this is for health staff ONLY. 

Register via Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams 
 

VAWG Awareness Walk 3:30pm to 7:00pm

Organiser: Croydon VAWG Network, Global Majority heritage Domestic Abuse Partnership and Croydon Council 

Following the walk, participants are invited to the Town Hall for refreshments, an exhibition, a survivor’s talk, speeches, and an opportunity to participate in bystander training.

More details: VAWG Awareness Walk

Domestic Abuse Awareness training 10.00am to 1:00pm

Organiser: Croydon Council

More details: Domestic Abuse Awareness Training

Thursday 27 November 

Croydon’s first VAWG Conference  9:00am to 4:00pm

Organiser: Croydon Council

More details: Join us at Croydon College for a day of learning, discussion, and engagement. This in-person event aims to raise awareness about the issues surrounding violence against women and girls, and to provide a platform for important conversations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, hear from inspiring speakers, and be a part of the movement towards a safer community for all.

Lunch and refreshments provided.

This is a ticket only event, limited availability, sign up for your free tickets: VAWG Conference 27 November

Friday 28 November

When Technology Turns Toxic: AI, Abuse & The Realities of the Black Femme Experience in the Digital Age 10:00am to 11:30am

Organiser: HERSANA

More details: As technology becomes ever more woven into our daily lives, so too do the ways it can be used to harm, monitor, and silence. This 90-minute, entry-level workshop explores how tech abuse and emerging AI tools are reshaping the landscape of gender-based violence, particularly for Black femmes. Through an intersectional lens, participants will unpack how power, bias, and digital control intersect in the lives of survivors, and learn how to identify, prevent, and respond to tech-facilitated abuse. This workshop is a conversation-starter aiming to bring it to the table for discussion, understanding, share strategies for digital safety, and imagine pathways toward technological justice and survivor-led care.

  • Understand what “tech abuse” and “AI-enabled abuse” mean, and how they fit into wider patterns of domestic and gender-based violence.
  • Recognise the specific ways technology can be weaponized against Black femmes — from tracking and surveillance to online harassment, deepfakes, and algorithmic bias.
  • Explore how digital systems reinforce, expand on, shape and (re)build abuse for Black survivors.
  • Identify warning signs, risk factors, and digital safety strategies for survivors and advocates.
  • Reflect on the intersections of race, gender, and technology in shaping power and vulnerability online.
  • Bystander Intervention in the digital world.

MS Teams meeting

Join the meeting now 

Meeting ID: 381 078 988 502 5 
Passcode: bq6mH6dv

Monday 1 December 

Child to Parent Abuse: Supporting parents and professionals 12:30 to 1:30pm

Organiser: PEGS – Parental Education Growth Support 

More details: PEGS are running an awareness workshop on child to parent abuse as part of our 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls. 

Spaces are limited, sign up using the link: Child to parent abuse 1 December

Tuesday 2 December

Domestic abuse and the impact on children  10:00am  to 11:00am

Organiser: FJC

More details: This free on line workshop aims to help professionals recognise children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right and understand the impact on development, relationships and learning.

Happily ever after 10:00am to 12noon

Understanding and Responding to Post-Separation Abuse

Organiser: HERSANA

More details: Practical training on identifying and responding to coercive control and post-separation abuse.

Register on Eventbrite
 

Wednesday 3 December

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) awareness session  12 noon to 1:00pm

Organiser: Croydon Council and Rise Mutual

More details:  This training session provides an essential introduction to Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), designed for non-legal professionals working with survivors of domestic abuse. See further details and book your place.
 

Risk Identification in Domestic Abuse training 9:30am to 4:430pm

Organiser: FJC

More details: for more information and to book a place Risk Identification in Domestic abuse.

Thursday 4 December 

Incel and misogyny 10:30am to 11:30am

Organiser: BKH

More details:  An introduction to:

  • Who are incels?
  • Scope of incel culture and misogyny
  • Core beliefs and ideas
  • Effective safeguarding and referral options
  • Risk indicators
  • Incel lexicon and memes
  • The wider "manosphere"
  • Pick-up artist influencers
  • The harmful practice "looksmaxxing"

Incel and Misogyny - 16 days of activism workshop Tickets, Thu 4 Dec 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

A Women-only Discussion on Domestic Abuse 12noon to 1:00pm

Organiser: Faiths Together in Croydon 

More details: Join Faiths Together in Croydon online for this women-only event, open to those of all faiths and none.  It offers the opportunity to hear and discuss how to recognise different forms of domestic abuse and what to do next. Find out how to get help for anyone suffering any form of abuse. 

Attendees will receive information on practical resources and support services available, empowering women to seek the help they need.

Facilitator: Ada Ibezi  Founder and CEO of Against Domestic Abuse Domestic Abuse Consultant and Award-winning Speaker Chair of Met Police VAWG Independent Advisory Group (IAG) Member of Croydon Council's Expert-by-Experience Panel Member of the Christian Network for Ending Domestic Abuse (CNEDA)'

Booking: Please email Faiths Together in Croydon on FTiCroydon@gmail.com with any queries or to book to attend.

Grievable Bodies 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Race and Remembering in the Context of Domestic Homicide

Organiser: HERSANA

More details: Reflective discussion exploring race, grief, and remembrance of victims of domestic homicide.

Register on Eventbrite

Saturday 6 December 

Organiser: HERSANA    

Booking: Eventbrite 

Sunday 7 December

Ushindi - Victory in the Overcoming 11am to 5pm

Organiser:   Soul Purpose 360   

More details:  Join us in celebrating the overcoming of challenges and obstacles of Black women.

Ushindi - Victory in the Overcoming.... | SoulPurpose360 CIC 
 

Monday 8 December

Learning from DARDRs on Male Victims and Intersectionality 10:00am to 11:30pm

Organiser: HERSANA and Croydon Council

More details: Join us for Learning from DARDRs on Male Victims and Intersectionality, a 90-minute session co-facilitated by Liza Thompson and Christabel Yeboah as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This interactive training will unpack key lessons from Domestic Homicide Reviews involving male victims, exploring how gender expectations, race, sexuality, disability and culture intersect to shape experiences of abuse and professional responses. Through real-world case reflections and open discussion, participants will deepen their understanding of intersectionality in DHRs and leave with practical strategies to strengthen inclusive, trauma-informed practice across agencies.

Learning from DARDRs on Male Victims and Intersectionality Tickets, Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
 

Holding Preventative Conversations about VAWG with Young People, 3:45pm to 4:45PM

Organiser: Bold Voices

More details:  Book a place, Online workshop, Holding Preventative Conversations about VAWG with Young People.

Tuesday 9 December

Domestic Abuse in the Deaf Community 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Organiser: Sign Health

More details: Would you like to learn more about supporting deaf individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse. Join this free on line session delivered by Sign Health:

  • Deaf people's experiences and fears when interacting with services
  • How to support Deaf individuals facing domestic abuse
  • Information on the Deaf community, resources, and information on our service.
     

Spaces are limited, book your place.