6 ways to get involved against violence against women - which everyone (!) can integrate into everyday life

Violence against women: 6 ways to actively combat it

Things are not looking good for a safe life for women – globally. More thana billion womenworldwide are not protected from sexual violence by law. 2022 killedevery eleven minutesa man somewhere in the world, his (ex-)partner or a female family member.Women in IranThose who resist compulsory veiling are persecuted and killed. And also the latest figuresCrime statisticsin Germany paint a bleak picture. Violence against women increased sharply from 2022 to 2023. For sexual crimes by 6.2 percent, for domestic violence by 5.6 percent, for human trafficking by 6.9 percent and for digital violence by a shocking 25 percent. And femicides were also measured with an increase of +1 percent with a shocking number of 938 cases.

Given these numbers, it's not surprising that many of us feel powerless. Powerless by a system and a political world situation that does not know how to protect women (and everyone else who is not cis-hetero men). And yet there are ways to get involved, to help victims be seen, and to support organizations that relentlessly fight for the right for women in our society to eventually live without fear. You don't have to spend a lot of time or a lot of money to do this. You don't even have to go to demonstrations if you're overwhelmed by crowds. Just the conviction that things cannot continue as they are!

6 accessible ways to take action against violence against women

1. Listen to survivors

Yes, the statistics on violence against women are overwhelming. Even more overwhelming is the knowledge of the still higher number of unreported cases and all the violence that goes unreported. Out of fear of not being heard and out of shame. What everyone can work on is that we need to create a social climate in which victims feel safe enough to tell their stories. This also means that we have to banish certain questions once and for all: “What were you wearing?”, “Why were you out alone at night?”, “How much did you drink?” are all questions that project blame onto the victim and not the perpetrator. And yes, of course it's not enough if police officers and lawyers don't also implement these things - but it's a start.

It is just as important to share the stories of victims, to make them heard and to encourage people around them to address these issues. The journalist Livia Sarai Lergenmüller, among others, provides exciting insights and reports. Big follow-up recommendation at this point.

2. Get informed – with books, social media channels, etc.

You can't fight what you don't understand. Therefore: Anyone who wants to fight against patriarchal and gender-specific violence should stay informed about the legislation and political background of this violence. You don't necessarily have to delve into large specialist literature for this. Also narrative non-fiction books andAccounts provide important insights. Here are a few reading and following recommendations:

Books on the topic of “violence against women”:

Social media channels that are committed to combating violence against women:

• Women's shelter coordination_ev

The organization “Women's Shelter Coordination” is dedicated to an important aspect in the fight against violence against women. Namely the refuges for women who come from violent backgroundsflee. “Women's Shelter Coordination” uses an interactive tool to help find women's shelters in the area and is involved in network meetings, develops guidelines for other social institutions and creates the only nationwide statistics on women's shelter work and women's shelter residents.

• Together against sexism

“Together against sexism” is an initiative of the Federal Ministry forand the EAF Berlin. On herschannel, they do important educational work on gender-based violence and give other organizations a voice. It's about intersectionality as well as the question of safe medical care for women.

• Hate Aid

“Hate Aid” is a non-profit limited company dedicated to advising and supporting those affected by digital violence – from online hate speech to cyberbullying. On their social media account they give useful tips - from the question of how to report a user on social media to the legal options you have if you receive a dick pic without asking.

• Editorial On the other hand

“Redaktion Aktuell” is a magazine that is produced jointly by people with disabilities and people without disabilities. In their work, they address all forms of discrimination - including violence against women in the world - and pay particular attention to inclusive language.

• the feminist fair planet

“The Feminist Fair Planet” sends out a newsletter every two weeks that deals with feminist issues worldwide. In addition, they share important historical facts about fights for justice on their Instagram channel, invite journalists to take a stand on current topics such as the election in the USA, and share interesting infographics.

• Anna and Hannah

“Anna and Hannah” is a non-profit organization that advises girls and young women in emergency situations. They also share important tips for relatives or friends of young women who experience violence on their Instagram channel.

3. Supports (donation) campaigns

Supporting nonprofit organizations and their campaigns doesn't always have to cost money. You can also draw attention to their actions by sharing them in your channels or family groups or by adding your signature. Important campaigns against violence against women are organized by One Billion Rising, the German Women's Council and Change.org, among others.

4. Hold your friends accountable (especially if you're men!)

This call is aimed primarily at all men. Please be vigilant if your friends misbehave and speak to them about it. Whether it's the friend who makes a sexist joke about a woman in the bar or a stranger who catcalls a woman on the street. Often just a small: “Not cool!” or “Save yourself such a comment!” Because only if you join the fight against violence do we have a real chance for change. To motivate you, you don't have to ask yourself what if that was your daughter/mother/sister, just: What world do you want to live in? One in which we all feel safe? Then get active!

5. Be active against false reporting

How often do you read headlines that talk about “relationship drama” instead of femicide or talk about an “act of love” instead of murder? Such reporting trivializes and obscures the fact that the attacks on women are not isolated cases or emotional overreactions, but rather systematic violence that has existed for centuries. The good thing: You don't have to put up with something like this and you can contact the editorial team yourself and get them to comment. This may not always be fruitful, but it always shows resistance.

6. Share help

Do you know women who are affected by violence – or are you perhaps affected by violence yourself? Then these contact points are literally essential for survival.

• TheHelpline “Violence against women”You can reach us on 08000 116 016 – free of charge, anonymously and around the clock. You can also find tips and comfort on the associated website.
• AtWomen against violence eVyou will find helpful information and advice centers.
• Do you need shelter? You can find women's shelters near you here:Women's Shelter Coordination eV
• TheHelpChatoffers uncomplicated online advice for women and girls in violent situations. And all without waiting.
• The programWomen advise womenfrom the Institute for Women-Specific Psychotherapy and Social Research offers psychosocial and legal advice for women affected by violence.
• Thebff(Federal Association of Women's Advice Centers and Women's Emergency Hotlines) also lists other advice offers.

This text was created using passages from our GLAMOR colleagues from the UK.