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From November 25th to December 10th, Next Chapter is joining the global movement for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This annual campaign serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to stand against all forms of gender-based violence, and this year’s theme, UNITE - Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls, emphasises the critical need for targeted resources and community support to stop violence before it starts.

Why Investment in Prevention Matters

Investing in prevention is not only about addressing the root causes of violence but also about building a future where safety, dignity, and respect are the standard for everyone.  

With adequate resources, we can empower our communities to disrupt cycles of abuse and create safer spaces for women, girls, and all individuals who seek help. This year’s theme is a call to action for individuals, businesses, and organisations to make prevention a priority and unite in the fight to end violence.

How You Can Support 16 Days of Activism

Throughout the 16 Days, we’ll be sharing powerful stories, statistics, and educational content on our social media platforms and website to raise awareness about gender-based violence and the need for investment in its prevention. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Engage with our content: Follow us on social media, like and share our posts, and join the conversation. Your support helps us reach more people who may benefit from our services.

• Donate or Fundraise: Your financial support makes a significant impact. Whether through a direct donation or by starting a fundraiser, your contributions go directly to services that provide safe spaces and ongoing support for those affected by abuse. To begin a fundraiser, please visit https://forms.office.com/e/jnAVkTrUiR  

• Advocate in your community: Become an ambassador for change by educating yourself and others. Whether through workplace discussions or community events, sharing information and resources, like the ones available on our website, can help break down the stigma and silence around domestic abuse – and even open up a discussion that could be life-saving.

Spotlight on Inclusivity

Violence affects all members of society, and inclusive support is essential for a safer, more compassionate world. We encourage anyone in need to reach out; our team is here to offer understanding and help without judgement.

You can get support from Next Chapter from our partners at Essex Compass by calling 0330 333 7 444. You can also call us directly on 01206 500585.

We have a webchat function available during normal working hours in the week. Just click the icon in the bottom right of your browser to begin a conversation with one of our practitioners.

If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing domestic abuse – even if you just have a hunch – you can learn how to recognise the signs, and find helpful guides for everything from keeping safe online to information about what happens to pets when a victim is in refuge, by clicking ‘Information’ in the navigation menu at the top of the page.

Join Us and UNITE Against Violence

The 16 Days of Activism is a rallying cry for each of us to invest in a violence-free future. Join us in taking a stand for a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. Together, we can build a future free of violence for the next generation and for all.

For more information about 16 Days of Activism, click the link below to visit the World Health Organisation website. This will open in a new tab.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2024

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Continuing from our news yesterday that Sarah Taylor has been appointed Chair of Trustees, today we're pleased to share that Anisa Khan will be taking on the position of Vice-Chair. She said:

Becoming a trustee for The Next Chapter (East of England) has been both a personal commitment and a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of women and children facing domestic abuse. It means being part of a mission-driven team that is dedicated to empowering survivors and advocating for safer futures.

For me, this role isn’t just about governance; it’s about amplifying the voices of those who often go unheard and ensuring that every decision we make prioritises their safety and dignity. As a trustee, I get to bring my skills and insights to help shape the charity’s direction, but it’s the stories and resilience of the women we support that inspire my efforts the most.

Working alongside passionate staff and volunteers, I feel privileged to contribute to an organisation that not only offers refuge and support but also strives for systemic change, working toward a world where everyone can live free from fear and harm.

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Next Chapter is proud to partner with Be More Dandelion with ‘Survivor Steps’, a unique, six-week dance programme created exclusively for survivors of domestic abuse. This transformative initiative, led by choreographer, dancer, and domestic abuse survivor, Fi Bool, combines movement, somatic healing, and mental well-being to support survivors on their recovery journey.

Sally Harrington, Director of Adult Services and Deputy CEO of Next Chapter said:

We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Be More Dandelion so that we can provide our clients with another way to work on their recovery which is completely different to our other programmes.  We are looking forward to following the progress of this project and strengthening our relationship with Fi.

The Survivor Steps programme provides a safe, uplifting environment for female participants to rediscover self-confidence, strength, and resilience. Guided by Fi Bool, participants will experience movement sessions that empower them to reconnect with their bodies in a positive, compassionate way, helping them reclaim confidence that may have been lost through abuse.

Studies in the United States indicate that integrating dance into recovery programmes can significantly improve survivor outcomes, with notable effects on emotional resilience, mental health, and overall well-being. Survivor Steps is the first programme of its kind in the UK, and Next Chapter is honoured to support its launch, which fills a vital gap in survivor services through creative and expressive therapy.

Fi Bool, Founder, Be More Dandelion, said: We are thrilled to partner with Next Chapter in Colchester to bring the Survivor Steps programme to life through the Dandelion Project. This collaboration is a vital part of our mission to empower survivors of domestic abuse using movement and dance as tools for healing, rebuilding confidence, and reclaiming a sense of self. Together, we are committed to creating safe spaces where survivors can grow, flourish, and rise stronger from their experiences.

For more information about Survivor Steps or to inquire about joining this programme, visit: https://www.thedandelionproject.co.uk/#survivorSteps  

About Next Chapter

Next Chapter is a domestic abuse charity based in Essex, UK, dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Our mission is to provide comprehensive services, including safe refuge and transformative programmes, helping individuals and families move forward from trauma and rebuild their lives.

https://thenextchapter.org.uk  

About Survivor Steps

Founded by Fi Bool, Survivor Steps is a first-of-its-kind programme that brings dance, somatic movement, and mental well-being together to support survivors of domestic abuse. This programme harnesses the power of dance to aid healing, foster personal growth, and help participants reclaim their sense of self.

https://www.thedandelionproject.co.uk/  

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Next Chapter is pleased to appoint Sarah Taylor as our Chair of Trustees. Sarah said:

Since 2020, I've had the privilege of working with Next Chapter as a trustee: a pretty ill-informed one to start with, apart from my own lived experiences which were not comparable to the suffering experienced by many of the people Next Chapter work with.

Over the intervening 4 years, I've learnt so much from the stories of survivors, the experience of practitioners and the capability of the leadership.  And as with everything, there is always so much more to learn.

As I move into the role of Chair of the Next Chapter board, it's exciting to explore how we advocate for our wonderful organisation, the amazing people in our team, and above all, the people in our communities that we support. The impact of domestic abuse is catastrophic across all types of people of all different ages, and the devastation ripples out through survivors, children, families and friends.

Our collective aspirations are high - every life free of domestic abuse - but in a world that is so far away from achieving it, we must raise our collective voice.  Enough is enough.  Our society must do better.  The systemic barriers to a sustainable abuse-free life must be overcome.

We are here to help survivors and their children become safe and start their life without abuse: literally their next chapter.  Let's amplify survivors with stories that give hope to others.  Let's engage decision-makers who can deliver positive change.  All in all, let's make some noise.

Come make some noise with me.

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We welcome the National Policing Statement 2024 for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) which was issued today by the College of Police and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) in recognition that violence against women and girls has reached epidemic levels.

In our local area, domestic abuse accounts for 40% of all violent crime and is the largest single issue being dealt with by the police.  However, whilst reports to the Police are reducing, referrals into local specialist services like Next Chapter are increasing at an unprecedented rate.  Many survivors will not report their experiences to the police and for some communities intersectional issues create further barriers to support, so we know that the issue will be much larger than the data shows.

We know that domestic abuse perpetrated by men against women is rooted in women’s unequal status in society and is part of the wider social problem of male violence against women and girls. Research with the University of Bristol has found that sexism and misogyny set the scene for male abusive partners’ coercive and controlling behaviours and enables violence against women and girls.

The rise in incidences of domestic abuse should be understood in the broader context of an unprecedented rise in experiences of wider violence against women and girls incidents which indicates a much wider societal issue which cannot be tackled by a criminal justice focus on specific perpetrators alone.  Domestic abuse and the wider issue of violence against women and girls, with its roots in misogyny and patriarchy, and the cultural and community acceptance of violence against women and girls is a whole society issue that needs a society-wide response.

We must to come together to challenge all forms of discrimination and inequality.  We need male allies and for men to call out other men when they see unwanted behaviours.  We need men to be great role models for boys who will be our next generation of men.  Only by working together to unlearn gender stereotypes, unpick power imbalances, and unteach misogyny will we hope to change the way society views, values and treats women and girls.

We heard from Jess Phillips, MP & Minister for Safeguarding at the Women’s Aid National Conference only last week as Labour unveiled their plans to halve violence against women and girls in a decade - we welcome their commitment and look forward to working together to help deliver this aspiration.

Until then, we will be here for all survivors of domestic abuse to provide a place of safety and to support them to recovery and reclaim their life free from domestic abuse.  

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Notes:

Intersectionality refers to an understanding of the ways that multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage can compound themselves and create additional obstacles.

Misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls, and the term can also refer to social systems or environments where women face hostility and hatred because they’re women in a world created by and for men.  

Patriarchy describes a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.

Toxic masculinity is an attitude or set of social guidelines stereotypically associated with manliness that are often regarded as having a negative impact on men and on society.  The term toxic masculinity isn’t mean to imply that the idea of masculinity in itself is inherently bad.  Examples include:

• Men are tough, strong and do not cry.

• Men have an entitlement to women’s bodies, leading to sexual comments and harassment toward women.

• Men are encouraged to assert their power and dominance

• Homophobia – a belief that homosexuality is a deviation from traditional masculinity

• Men are breadwinners and the head of the household

Putting these sort of expectations on men can lead to men and boys feeling isolated  because they feel they are unable to ask for help.

Male Ally refers to men who work for social justice from positions of dominance or influence, for example men working for gender equity.  Effective allies work in solidarity with people from marginalised groups.

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If we aren’t talking about coercive control, we aren’t talking about domestic abuse.‍

...That’s the direct message that greets you when you visit Samantha Billingham’s ‘Stronger Beginnings’ website. Samantha is a domestic abuse survivor who has been unfaltering in her campaign to raise awareness of coercive control and the impact it can have, as well as her work providing a safe online space for those affected to talk about their own experiences.

At Next Chapter, it’s our duty to talk about every aspect of domestic abuse and we were grateful for the opportunity to delve in to the topic of coercive control with Samantha…

Next Chapter: Hi Sam. Thank you for chatting with us. Firstly, what inspired you to start Stronger Beginnings, and how has your campaigning journey been?

Samantha Billingham: As a survivor turned advocate, for me, Stronger Beginnings is about bringing professionals and organisations together, to put survivors of coercive control and domestic abuse at the heart of what we do.  It’s about building stronger connections and conversations and creating changes for survivors of coercive control and domestic abuse.

NC: What are some common misconceptions about coercive control that you aim to address through your training programs?

SB: I think the biggest misconception about coercive control is that it doesn’t exist! It is completely misunderstood and minimised, making it difficult for survivors to make a disclosure through fear of not being believed or understood.

I existed in a controlling situation for three years, but it was only when I found the strength and courage to escape, that I realised how controlled I had been.  In the midst of it all, I accepted and tolerated his behaviour toward me as normal.

Coercive control is dangerous because you don’t feel the impact immediately; you aren’t even physically touched by the perpetrator so you don’t really understand what is happening to you.

It was only when I was handed a questionnaire that I realised how controlled I had been.  

It’s also an important message to get out there that coercive control also affects and has an impact on children and young people too.  In line with new legislation, children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right.  As a Trustee for the Buddy Bag Foundation, who provide bag packs to children going into refuge, full of toiletries, PJ’s socks, underwear, a book, something they can call their own, this is needed more than ever.

NC: What role do you see employers playing in supporting employees who are victim survivors of domestic abuse?

SB: Employers can play a significant role in supporting employees who make a disclosure in the workplace.   The important thing for employers to remember is they do not have to get directly involved at all.  Support can be creating a safe and supportive workplace environment.  This could include implementing policies that address coercive control and domestic abuse, providing training for managers and employees on how to recognise signs of abuse and allowing flexible arrangements to accommodate survivors’ needs.

When I was in abusive situation, at the ‘honeymoon period’, I made my first, and last, disclosure to my former employer. I was instantly sacked.  He didn’t want to even listen to what I was trying to explain to him, which at that point was extremely difficult as I didn’t really understand what was happening to me at the time.  The perpetrator has isolated me from my friends, family and locked me in the flat I shared with him, throwing my mobile phone out of the 7th floor window, preventing me from calling into work.  When I managed to escape two days later, the first place I went was to my workplace, at least to be heard.

Simplified, support looks like acknowledging, adapting and addressing coercive control and domestic abuse in the workplace. Sadly domestic abuse doesn’t stay at home, it follows the survivor into the workplace, and this is through no fault of their own.

For some, the workplace might be their only safe haven and it is important employers recognise that.  They might notice subtle difference in their staff, for example, they might be constantly on their mobile phone.  This is because the perpetrator is bombarding them with calls, text messages and voicemail message and, if the employee doesn’t respond there will be consequences for them.  

I am a proud Ambassador for Employers Imitative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) who provides resources, handbooks and tools for employers on how to support staff who make disclosures in the workplace.  

Over 1 in 10 of those who do experience domestic abuse report that the abuse continues in the workplace, 81% of cases confirm that this is through abusive emails or phone calls.

Also, perpetrators themselves might turn up at the workplace unannounced, maybe with flower and gifts as a surprise for the employee, when in reality they are checking up on them; making sure they aren’t talking to anyone of the opposite sex.

It is vital that employers have an understanding of coercive control and controlling behaviour because this is the type of abusive behaviour that their employees will be experiencing at work.  

NC: Could you tell us more about the inception of your online group, SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse), and the kind of support it offers to its members?

SB: After escaping the domestic situation I was once in, I was a lone parent with a young baby in a new area, so one of the first things that I did was register with, what was then known as, a local Sure Start Centre.  It was there that the volunteering co-ordinator planted the seed and asked me if I had ever thought about helping others.  At the time my initial reaction was no but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to be the support I had never had.

SODA is an online safe space for men and women who have experienced domestic abuse to come together without judgement.  We don’t offer crisis support as there are already amazing local and national charities, such as the Paul Lavelle Foundation, Mankind Initiative and Women’s Aid who provide specialist crisis support but we focus on life after coercive control and domestic abuse.  SODA reduces isolation, raises awareness and gives hope, that there is life after abuse.

Members within the group can share as much or as little about their lived experience as they feel comfortable with.  Only members within the group can see posts and comments, and there is an option to post anonymously too.  It’s an extremely safe group.  It cannot be found, members are added to the group by me.  It is open to men and women up and down the country.  There is no waiting list to be added to, it’s not a postcode lottery and there isn’t a criteria to fit.

We provide a signposting service, we provide Zoom meetings and focus on building member’s self-esteem.

NC: What are your future goals for your work in the field of domestic abuse awareness and prevention?

SB: My future goals are to continue conversations around coercive control, domestic abuse and its impact by using as many platforms as possible, whether that is podcasts, radio, TV, blogs.  

I am currently completing my IDVA coursework which I’m going to pass so I can support survivors in a stronger way than I am currently doing.

I’m really interested in public speaking at conferences and sharing my lived experience as well as starting conversations that can create real change.

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Thank you to Samantha Billingham for joining us for this guest interview.

You can learn more about Sam’s initiatives at strongerbeginnings.mailchimpsites.com/

If you are based in Mid/North Essex and you’ve been affected by domestic abuse or any of the themes mentioned in this article, we can help. Click the ‘Get Help’ button for support.

In an emergency, call 999.

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