16 Days of Action
Redditch Borough Council, working alongside
Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, organised several
events to mark the 16 Days of Action campaign 2012. 
16 Days of Action is an international campaign to raise
awareness of violence against women. The campaign was launched
globally on White Ribbon Day on 25 November 2012 , also known as
the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women. It ran until Monday 10 December, International Human
Rights Day.
In Redditch, the theme for the 2012 16 Days of Action
campaign was “These hands are not for hurting”. We
asked residents to sign up to our pledge to never commit,
condone or remain silent about domestic abuse and sexual
violence.
Domestic abuse can affect women and men of any age. Anyone who
believes they are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence,
or knows someone who might be, can obtain free and confidential
advice 24 hours a day from the Worcestershire Women’s Aid Domestic
Abuse Helpline on 
0800 980 3331 or the Men’s Advice
Line on 0808 801
0327.
2012 Events
These Heels Are Made For Walking - 30 November
A walk around Redditch town centre - with a difference!
Called “These Heels Are Made For Walking”, the walk involved over
30 local men walking a mile in women’s shoes as a public
pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about domestic
abuse and sexual violence against women or girls.
Redditch Borough Council is looking to run the event again
in 2013 and will again be asking for men to register to take part.
Participants can wear any type of women’s shoes (it doesn’t have to
be high heels!). Shoes can be supplied if required. Refreshments,
plasters and encouragement will be available on the day as well as
a goody bag for each participant.
To take part in 2013, email 
communitysafety@redditchbc.gov.uk
with your name, the number of men in your group and, if you can’t
supply your own, what size shoes you need.
These Hands Are Not For Hurting - Public Banner
Individuals from a number of local organisations and
members of the public committed to placing their painted handprints
onto a large community banner showing that "these hands are not for
hurting".
Each of the organisations taking part produced one piece of the
banner. These were stitched together to create a single large
banner, to show our solidarity in our stand against domestic abuse
and sexual violence.
While on public display in the Kingfisher Centre, over 200
people painted their hands and added to the banner to make the
pledge - a fantastic response. It showed just how much the
people of Redditch care about the issue of domestic abuse.
A piece of the banner is now permanently on display in the
Council Chamber at Redditch Town Hall.
Christmas Carol Concert - 10 December 6pm -
7pm
A Christmas Carol Concert was held at Church Green.
People at the concert continued to show their support for
the 16 Days of Action campaign.