Standing Together for Change: CEO’s Statement for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism is a critical time for action and advocacy against domestic abuse. At Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), we focus on systemic change through survivor-centered approaches and cross-sector collaboration. Our CEO's statement emphasises the urgency of sustainable funding, policy reform, and the adoption of a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) model to address domestic abuse as a societal and public health issue.

As we observe the 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse is unwaveringly committed to addressing domestic abuse as a systemic and public health and issue. This year’s global theme underscores the necessity of uniting efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. This is imperative- in the UK alone, 1 in 6 of all homicides are the result of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, deeply impacting individuals and straining public systems such as healthcare, housing, social care, and criminal justice. With 80% of survivors seeking support through healthcare settings, it is clear that public services play a pivotal role in addressing this issue. However, these systems are often underfunded and fragmented, making it essential to prioritise sustainable, cross-departmental funding to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

We urge governments, national authorities, and policymakers to make targeted investments in domestic abuse services and adopt a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) model. This survivor-centred approach unites agencies across sectors to deliver holistic solutions, ensuring survivors are supported while systemic barriers and harmful norms are dismantled.

Policy reform is equally critical. We advocate for strengthening legal frameworks to improve protections for survivors, enhance accountability mechanisms for perpetrators, and integrate domestic abuse prevention into broader public health, housing, and criminal justice strategies. Policymakers must embed domestic abuse as a key priority in national agendas to drive transformative, long-term change. We join the call for bold action, policy reform, and sustainable solutions to create a safer, fairer society for all.

This 16 Days of Activism reminds us of the collective power of communities, organisations, and governments working together toward a shared vision of equality and justice. Let us seize this moment to influence policies, foster collaboration, and take meaningful steps toward a future free from gender based violence, abuse and inequality.

“Domestic abuse is a public health crisis that requires a united, systemic response. The 16 Days of Activism offer an opportunity for all of us to stand together, break down silos, and ensure that survivors are supported and heard. It is time for bold action, lasting reform, and a commitment to building a safer future for all.” 

Cherryl Henry-Leach, CEO Standing Together.