By Ellie Barnes, Deputy Features Editor
The Government released their 'Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy' to reduce violence against women and girls just before Christmas on December 18th. The Executive Summary states, ‘The human cost of this societal failure is utterly devastating… On average, almost 200 rapes were recorded by the police every single day in the year ending June 2025.’
The Prime Minister has made it a goal to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade, as a step towards the vision of a modern Britain where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence and abuse. The strategy is based on three objectives: ‘prevention & early intervention to address the root causes of abuse; the relentless pursuit of its perpetrators; and support for all those affected by violence and abuse when it happens.’
The Bristol charity, Next Link, is trying to support the victims and families affected by domestic abuse.
On the 27th of November 2025, I went to the vigil held by Next Link, which honours all those who have passed from or survived domestic violence and abuse. The vigil formed part of Bristol’s response to the United Nations ' ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence’. We held candles in honour of those who are no longer with us and walked from Embassy House down to College Green. We held signs with statistics of the rates of violence against women and girls. Poetry, music, and speeches enlightened the audience, hearing the truth and trauma in the victim’s experience.
Councillor Carole Johnson, the deputy group leader for the Bristol Labour Party, was the first guest speaker. The statistics referenced in the Government’s report only give us part of the true picture, ‘In the UK, a woman is killed by a man every three days. I think we can all agree that these stats are shocking and unacceptable. But they do not tell the full story, so much goes unreported.’
She referenced Brene Brown, an American research professor, storyteller, and author who is known for her work on courage, shame, and empathy; ‘Shame, as Brene defines it, is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and, therefore, unworthy of love and belonging. And it even attacks our identity. So let me say this clearly: you are not flawed, you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong here with us.’ I noticed at the vigil there was a warmth in everyone around me, despite the cold November weather. The aim was to uplift and support; active, silent listening facilitated a common understanding.
At Embassy House, I met a woman whose sister's life had been cruelly taken at the hands of a partner. This is the tragic reality of domestic abuse; the impacts don’t end even after death. The families affected, the tears shed, the violence permeates every aspect of life.
This woman and I spoke for the majority of the vigil and shared the experience. We spoke about her sister and her own life since the loss of someone so close to her. We both cried at the poems read by survivors and the song sung by Kennedy Wallace. The power in sharing a story so traumatic enables an understanding beyond the objective statistics. A survivor read about the horrific experiences she endured and survived. ‘I repeat the questions again and again, seeking answers in the silence. But the truth is clear, it was not me, it was not my fault. I was a victim, a survivor, a warrior.’ Their story's reclamation moved everyone there. The strength and courage to read something so vulnerable and intimate, coming from an experience so traumatising, to shed light on this national crisis. Then two survivors lit two larger candles that were representative of the two women who die each week in the UK at the hands of gender-based violence, and a minute's silence was held.
Ellie Barnes
If the Government truly wants to halve the shocking level of violence and abuse, it will be no easy task. I believe the first step is for us not to remain silent. To break the cycle of domestic abuse, survivors need to continue to have access to spaces and support to share their stories, like this vigil. We must continue to show up and hear them speak; we must stand with them and call out abuse where we see it. As Johnson says, ‘Courage, they say, starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen. So, thank you for showing up, thank you for letting yourselves be seen, and thank you for being so incredibly courageous.’
If you are a victim of domestic or sexual abuse and violence you can contact:
- In cases of Emergency always call 999
- The 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- You can call Next Link: 0800 4700 280
- Text Next Link (only if it is safe for you to receive a reply): 0740 789 5620
- Or email Next Link (only if it's safe for you to receive a reply): enquiries@nextlinkhousing.co.uk
Featured image Ellie Barnes
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