#ChangeHerStory

16 Posts for 16 Days

Dec 9, 2020
2 min

Domestic abuse in young relationships

The following piece is a reflection from a Women's Aid Support Worker and contains references to domestic abuse. Mia said her "relationship with Stacie was very controlling and she has Mental Health issues", aged 16. I started supporting Mia because she was in an abusive relationship with her partner. The abuse was sexual and verbal. When I started to support Mia, she was currently facing going to court against her ex. Mia had no confidence in herself, thought that she was th

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It’s time for an affirmative consent law

Women's Equality Party

Dec 8, 2020
2 min

It’s time for an affirmative consent law

In Scotland, the number of recorded cases of rape and attempted rape have more than doubled in a decade from 2010 to 2020. Alarmingly, sexual crimes have been on a long-term upward trend, increasing every year since 2008-09, and are at the highest level seen since 1971, which was the first year comparable crime groups are available. Under the current law, the onus is on the survivor and prosecution to prove that consent was not given. Many survivors of sexual abuse and rape f

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CASWA

Dec 7, 2020
2 min

Talking about consent

The following post talks about consent and makes references to some forms of sexual violence, including rape. When we discuss consent with young people it's important that we help them to understand both the meaning of consent and the importance of gaining consent before participating in a sexual act. It's also important that young people know that they have the right to say no when it comes to a situation where they don’t feel comfortable. Recently there has been a surge in

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"My dad doesn’t like children" - Boy, aged 10

Ross-Shire Women's Aid

Dec 5, 2020
2 min

"My dad doesn’t like children" - Boy, aged 10

This post talks about domestic abuse and may be triggering for some people. Illustration: UN Women Violence against women is a major public health concern and a violation of women’s human rights. This also impacts on children within the home who will too be experiencing the abuse. Domestic abuse can affect children emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially. "He manipulated me into thinking my mum was always doing things wrong. I realise this is completely wrong now, but

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#WisToo Walk on International Volunteer Day

#ChangeHerStory

Dec 5, 2020
1 min

#WisToo Walk on International Volunteer Day

In the last few months, the volunteers from Shetland Rape Crisis’ young activist group BEE (Bold, equal, and empowered) have been busy preparing a socially distanced walk including and outdoor exhibition about GBV. BEE chose the theme #WisToo (“Wis” meaning “Us” in Shetland dialect) in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence in Shetland who bravely shared their stories earlier this year. Today, we ask you to join us in highlighting this issue. To take part, post a ph

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Anon

Dec 4, 2020
3 min

The Many Forms of Gender-Based Violence

This post talks about sexual harassment and may be triggering for some people. Illustration by Brittany England I was 20 years old and I’d recently said goodbye to my family in my home country to move to Scotland. I’d been raised by a mom who worked at the domestic violence court and a sister who wrote about gender inequality. I remember how we used to have time-consuming conversations about the many forms in which gender-based violence occurs. I remember the three of us atte

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Reflections From a Rape Crisis Support Worker

RASASH

Dec 3, 2020
3 min

Reflections From a Rape Crisis Support Worker

This post talks about sexual violence and may be triggering for some people. "As a support worker, I am able to assist survivors in the realisation that they were not to blame, that they are not alone, and that the way they feel does not mean something is wrong with them, but is a normal response to what was done to them." What is it like to be a support worker for a rape crisis centre? This question filled my mind with thoughts and reflections about all the survivors we've s

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Inverness Women's Aid

Dec 2, 2020
1 min

Changing the Narrative

This post talks about domestic abuse and violence against women and may be triggering for some people. Domestic violence and sexual abuse are often called "women's issues." But in this bold, blunt talk, Jackson Katz points out that these are intrinsically men's issues and shows how these violent and oppressive behaviours are tied to definitions of manhood. Jackson Katz’s talk is a clarion call for us all - women and men - to call out unacceptable behaviour and be leaders of c

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Inverness Women's Aid

Dec 2, 2020
12 min

Domestic abuse - the BIG questions

A personal reflection of surviving domestic abuse, reaching safety, and beginning a journey towards healing. This post talks about domestic violence and may be triggering for some. Public awareness has also come from the courage of many, who finally, finally feel they will be supported enough, to ask for help. Do not underestimate the courage that this takes because it oftentimes results in losing everything. Your familial home, business interests, income, car, possessions fo

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It's more than just physical violence...

Police Scotland - Highlands & Islands Division

Dec 1, 2020
3 min

It's more than just physical violence...

This post talks about domestic abuse and may be triggering for some people. Illustration: ABC Life: Nathan Nankervis "We never judge and are acutely aware that it can be a difficult choice for a woman to come forward and speak up about her experiences but we are part of something much bigger and, no matter where she lives, or what has happened, we can help #changeherstory.” Violence and verbal abuse have long been recognised as behaviours associated with the perpetrators of d

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Scottish Prison Service

Nov 30, 2020
2 min

Change Her Story - Anon

This poem talks about domestic abuse and may be triggering for some people. Change Her Story Violence is easy, violence is weak the hard thing to do is turn the other cheek, every one person has their own story not everyone in life gets the pleasures of glory, walk past each other, “remember”, we all have our way the only thing that counts is what we might say, when we open our mouths it may be in fun could also turn another to suicide with a gun. Stop hitting her man… and gr

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Scottish Prison Service

Nov 29, 2020
1 min

Signs of solidarity from the Scottish Prison Service

The following messages are from prisoners at the HMP Inverness that show solidarity and support to survivors of sexual violence. Scottish Prison Service Inverness serves courts in the Highlands, Islands, and Moray – a large and diverse catchment area embracing rural and urban communities. Disclaimer: the views expressed in this post are those of the respective author and are not necessarily shared by the #ChangeHerStory Campaign partners.

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Inverness Women's Aid

Nov 29, 2020
1 min

The Magic Prince

Illustration: The Little Prince Out of nowhere he appeared He swooped me up and calmed my fears I'd dreamt of him and wished him real Now he was here it felt surreal. He gave me strength to carry on He gave me hope I was the one. His tender kiss Helped heal my heart His understanding Stepped him apart So, now I give you hope my friend For I can truly say There is a magic moment It can all happen in a day Your life will change completely When your prince holds you in his arms

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Catherine

Nov 28, 2020
2 min

Reclaiming the Playground

Illustration Manon de Jong When I was a child, people called me a bubbly stand-offish tomboy. I remember the playground, wrestling with others, climbing trees, and being muddy head to toe. I remember someone telling me that this ‘wasn’t for girls’. I remember my honest response, and I remember the follow-up exclamation, that talking like that was also ‘not for girls’. Okay, lesson learned, there are things only boys can do, and there are things only boys can say. In other sit

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Rural Experiences of Gender-Based Violence

Lochaber Women's Aid

Nov 27, 2020
1 min

Rural Experiences of Gender-Based Violence

This post talks about domestic abuse and may be triggering for some people. Using the words and experiences of some of the women we have supported, Lochaber Women’s Aid has created a video to look at the issues survivors of domestic abuse face in rural communities. Lochaber Women's Aid also highlights how some rural cultural attitudes and institutional structures need to change, so that we can end gender-based violence and abuse in order to #ChangeHerStory. Lochaber Women's A

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University of the Highlands & Islands

Nov 25, 2020
1 min

Ending gender-based violence on campus

The University of the Highlands and Islands is one of seventeen Scottish universities that have come together to create and fund access to a new training course to help prevent and eradicate gender-based violence in colleges and universities. In this video, Dr Iain Morrison, Dean of Students, explains more about the course, and the importance of its role in changing the story of gender-based violence. The University of the Highlands and Islands comprises 13 colleges and resea

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16 Posts for 16 Days

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