25 November marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) — a global campaign calling on all of us to confront violence, support survivors, and work toward lasting change.
🔎 Why this matters: some facts & figures in the UK and globally
Globally, around 1 in 3 women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime — most often from an intimate partner.
In the UK (England & Wales), in the year ending March 2024: an estimated 1.6 million women and 712,000 men (aged 16+) experienced domestic abuse.
Since age 16, approximately 1 in 4 people (around 25.8%) have experienced domestic abuse. That is equivalent to about 12.5 million adults.
Domestic abuse takes many forms: physical violence, emotional and economic abuse, threats, stalking, controlling behaviour, and more.
Importantly: violence is not only physical. Abuse can be coercive, manipulative, and psychological — making it hard to see or report. 
These facts remind us that GBV is widespread. It affects people in all walks of life — and because so much remains unreported or hidden, the real numbers are likely even higher.
💡 How you — and Unison — can help
As union members, we have a collective voice and a responsibility to support safety, dignity, and justice. Here are some ways we can act:
Raise awareness: Talk about GBV and the 16 Days campaign in our workplace — through posters, social media, newsletters, or team meetings. Silence helps abuse persist; awareness fosters support.
Support survivors: Encourage colleagues who may be suffering (or know someone who is) to seek help — remind them they are not alone.
Advocate for safe and inclusive policies: We can push for union-level support: clear anti-violence / harassment policies, signposting support services, and ensuring confidentiality for anyone who seeks help.
Challenge harmful behaviours / norms: Call out sexism, harassment, coercive behaviour — whether at work, in social settings, or everyday life. Change starts with challenging what is tolerated.
Connect with specialist groups & charities: Promote support services and resources — publicising trusted organisations, helplines, and local support networks.
📞 Support & Resources — where to go if you or someone you know needs help
If you, a friend, or colleague is experiencing abuse, there are organisations and services that can help. For example:
The national domestic-abuse helpline (operated by specialist charities) — available to offer support, advice and information.
Local community and support services for survivors. Many of these offer counselling, refuge (if needed), legal support, and advocacy.
Unison support — we as a union can also commit to supporting colleagues: listening without judgment, offering information, and helping signpost to professional help.
We must ensure that survivors are met with empathy, confidentiality and real support — not silence or stigma.
✊ A call to solidarity
The 16 Days of Activism is not just about raising awareness — it’s a call to action. Ending gender-based violence requires all of us: individuals, communities, institutions, and organisations like ours.
Please join me in standing against GBV. Let’s use our union’s voice to promote safety, dignity, and support for everyone.
If you’d like to discuss ideas for workplace-based actions (awareness raising, support networks, policy updates), or if you want to help coordinate something within our union — I’d be glad to hear from you.
Joy Onifade, Branch Womens’ Officer