As part of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, Leader of the Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, joined Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care & Well-being, Cllr Lucia das Neves to show support for the crucial work we are doing in the borough.
Over 80 people, including the council’s commissioned services, police, councillors, staff, and residents also joined this special Walk for Women on Tuesday 25 November.
Councillor das Neves said:
"In Haringey, we tackle gender-based violence at every possible intervention. The council is working with partners across the board to ensure we can get people the support they need.
"We’re proud to be walking with over 80 others this year at our annual Walk for Women.
"Our various services in Haringey ensure that anyone experiencing gender-based violence receives care and support that works for them.
"This year, Haringey’s Walk for Women is being replicated in Harrow. We know that when we stand together, our voices are louder. We wish Harrow a successful walk, as we stand together on this crucial pan-London issue."
The council is working hard to tackle VAWG in all corners of the borough.
The council has been successful at winning new funding to support women experiencing homelessness in the borough, and we know that there is a direct link between homelessness and domestic abuse.
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A survivor of abuse told us:
“I had been experiencing domestic violence for a long time, but I never reported it because I kept thinking: where would I take my kids? How would I feed them? Eventually, I found the courage to go to the police
'The very next day, I received a call from a Hearthstone worker. She asked about my situation, and I broke down crying because I was so worried about my child. The worker reassured me that she would arrange a safe and comfortable place for us to stay.
'I never imagined I would receive that kind of help. Even today, whenever I need help, I call Hearthstone, and they are always there. I don’t feel alone because they continue to stand with me.'
If you or someone you know is affected by gender-based violence, help is available here.
Additional information:
Stops on the Walk for Women included:
• The walk was opened by Leader of the Council, Peray Ahmet. The council’s VAWG team also used the opportunity to launch their bookmark campaign, giving library-goers discreet support information about abuse on bookmarks.
• Solace’s Silver Project spoke about their support for older victim/survivors in Haringey, and Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse spoke about the Haringey MARAC, a vital multi-agency space to manage risks for high-risk victim/survivors in our borough.
• For Baby’s Sake highlighted the work they do with families in pregnancy and infancy to break the cycles of domestic abuse and give babies the best start in life, and Haringey’s Prevent team discussed work to tackle extremist views, including those rooted in misogyny.
• A memorial was held in the centre of Finsbury Park to commemorate Haringey women lost to fatal Violence Against Women and Girls.
• The final stop was Museum of Homelessness, where a museum rep talked about work they are doing in the borough. They were joined by the Mulberry Junction team who spoke about how they support women in the borough, and a representative from MHCLG who spoke about funding for women’s homelessness initiatives.
