16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence: Breaking the Silence, Building a Safer Community for All

16 Days of Activism is an annual international campaign which starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. At Edinburgh College Students’ Association, we strive to foster a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. However, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue affecting people across all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or background.

So, let's as a community deal with this head-on by raising awareness of GBV, offering support, and encouraging action.

What is Gender-Based Violence?

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender. This includes physical, emotional, and sexual violence, as well as coercion, harassment, and exploitation. GBV disproportionately impacts women and girls, but it also affects men, non-binary individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

It’s important to understand that GBV is rooted in inequality, power imbalances, and harmful social norms. The effects can be devastating, leading to long-term physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

What Can We Do?

Creating a safer environment for everyone starts with awareness and action. Here are some steps we can take as a community:

Educate Ourselves and Others Knowledge is power. Understanding the different forms of GBV and their impacts is the first step in combating it. Share what you learn with friends and peers to foster a culture of awareness and support.
Support Survivors Survivors of GBV need compassion and understanding. Listen without judgment and guide them toward professional support services if they’re ready. Sometimes so much as offering to go for a cup of tea with an individual can really help.
Speak Out Against Harmful Behaviors If you witness harassment, abuse, or any form of GBV, don’t stay silent. If it’s safe, intervene or report the incident to someone that can help. Small acts of courage can make a big difference

👉Report harassment here

At the Students’ Association in the month of December we are having a winter Wellbeing Fair at which we will be able to offer guidance and support for students and this will be at Granton on Tuesday the 3rd December 10am-2pm.

We are also hosting a Winter Warmer event which will be a chance to connect with others in an informal way. This for both students and staff and Sighthill on Monday 9th December 11:30am-2pm

You can find out more about our committment to equality by reading our EDI Statement here.

Getting Support

If you or someone you know has been affected by GBV, there are lots of different people and services that can offer support. You can access the wellbeing and counselling services at Edinburgh College through the Student Services Hub on Teams. The Wellbeing Team offer 1-1 meetings offer confidential advice and resources to those in need. You can also access support through organisations listed below.

Ending gender-based violence requires collective effort. By standing together, educating ourselves, and taking action, we can create a safer and more inclusive community. Let’s work toward a future where respect and equality are the norm.

	Who Cares Scotland	Who Cares? Scotland is a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers across Scotland.
	Fast Forward	Fast Forward provide high quality health education and prevention interventions and projects to enable young people to make informed choices about their wellbeing and to live healthier lifestyles.
	Women's Aid Edinburgh	Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
	LGBT Youth Scotland	LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country whose goal is to make Scotland the best place to grow up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people.
	Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council	ELREC exists to promote equality and to fight all forms of prejudice. They believe that no one can claim to live in a fair and just society whilst prejudice and inequalities exist.
	Shakti Women's Aid	Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
	Edinburgh Carers Council	Edinburgh Carers Council is an independent Edinburgh charity that is carer-led in its developments. They provide information to carers about all aspects of mental health care and services; individual advocacy services for carers and named persons; and training opportunities so carers can be empowered.
	The Junction	The Junction is a safe, friendly, confidential centre which offers lots of health-related services, education and support for young people in Leith and North East Edinburgh aged 12-21.
	C:Card (free condoms)	C:card is a free condom service in Edinburgh & the Lothians. It's quick and easy to get free condoms through the c:card Network.
	Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre	Students across the Edinburgh College Community who have experienced sexual violence at any time of their life will be offered long-term, trauma-informed, one-to-one support. This support will be offered in blocks of six sessions, with students having access to up to 18 individual sessions if needed. Any students on the College support waiting list will be given the opportunity to access the normal Rape Crisis services for short-term support while they wait. This is in the form of the Here and Now service for over 18s or the STAR Project for under 18s. If you would like to refer yourself to this service, please email studentsurvivors@ercc.scot or call 0131 556 9437, call/text 07966 067 301 and state you are an Edinburgh College student. Please note staff cannot refer students.
	Healthy Respect	Healthy Respect works to improve young people's sexual health and wellbeing, and supports them to enjoy healthy and respectful relationships. It is aimed at young people aged 13-18 living in Lothian.
	The Chalmers Centre (Lothian Sexual Health)	Lothian Sexual and Reproductive Health Service provides a range of services at the Chalmers Centre in Edinburgh (2A Chalmers Street) and at local clinics across the Lothian area.