UN Women in the UK, in light of #metoo has launched the #drawaline campaign to end domestic abuse. The organisation is urging the public to mark the boundaries against violence that should not be crossed.
In the UK, violence still affects one in four women, while two women die every week from intimate partner violence. In some parts of the world up to 70% of women are victims of this torment. Disturbingly enough, one in three girls’ first sexual experience is rape.
Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria.
In the past month, both men and women have stepped forward to discuss their experiences with attackers. Which, incidently was the catalyst for this global initiative.
UN Women want to raise awareness of violence that is hidden in the media, popular culture, in the street and homes. How? By inviting the public to #drawaline to give those women affected by violence a voice and a platform.
The campaign film, shot by Missing Link Films launched on the 25th November, the Day for the Elimination of Violence. It will run until the 10th December which is also Human Rights Day. This period is also known as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Typically, famous global landmarks are lit up in orange to symbolise it.
The brief film sees an array of influential figures, including Deliciously Ella, Gemma Styles, Billie Piper and Benedict Cumberbatch, drawing an orange line across the screen to mark the end of violence being tolerated in the UK.
The chair of UN Women NC UK, Laura Haynes, said: “The prevalence of violence and the abuse of power is shocking, as are the impacts on individuals, communities, companies and nations. We are proud to be engaging people across the UK, raising awareness and much needed funds for UN Women’s programmes that work to change policy, help survivors and prevent future violence.
“It is time to #drawaline. For all the women who have said #metoo, for all men who believe they should help and for all of humanity – it is time. This is your chance to turn words into action.”
J. Walter Thompson created the campaign. Talking about it, the agency’s executive creative director Lucas Peon said: “With new research this week demonstrating the huge prevalence of domestic violence, it was critical that the campaign inspires as many people as possible to participate in 16 Days of Activism. We all need to come together across age groups, ethnicities, nationalities, gender and class to #drawaline to End Violence against Women and Girls, and start changing lives.”
Head over to our Instagram page to see exactly how our team is drawing a line, here.
Are you experiencing domestic violence?
Do you know of someone who is experiencing abuse and may need help and support?
24-hour National Domestic Violence
Freephone Helpline
0808 2000 247
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