Since the allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced in late 2017 the issue of sexual assault against women has been high on the agendas of news broadcasters and politicians alike. But is enough being done to help the most vulnerable women in communities across the UK?
#MeToo
The #MeToo campaign exploded giving women an opportunity to speak out on social media against sexual assault and inequalities they had experienced. The hashtag has been used millions of times, sometimes appearing alongside a long-held silent account of a traumatic sexual assault. For others it is a way for women to stand shoulder to shoulder, albeit digitally, with each other to show that they are not alone, and their voice is heard. However, this was not the start of the Me Too campaign, it began back in 2006 with Bronx activist Tarana Burke, as a community program for women to speak out about their experiences of sexual assault, Burke calls is “empowerment through empathy”[i]
Many Hollywood stars have taken to wearing black at this year’s award ceremonies or have been accompanied by activists from women’s charities who have used their time on the red carpet not to talk about which designer the star may be wearing that night but to speak out on issues affecting women. Tarana Burke was at this year’s Golden Globes with Michelle Williams, whilst Emma Watson took Marai Larasi, the executive director of Imkaan, a UK-based organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and ‘Minority Ethnic’ women and girls[ii], with Emma stating, “We stand in solidarity”.[iii] Such exposure for an organisation would have been unheard of before the #MeToo campaign.
A Model for Change
Whilst it can only ever be a positive move for women’s issues to be are the forefront of international conversations, no amount of celebrities wearing black or social media posts is going to make lasting changes to women’s everyday life. For that to happen change needs to occur within communities. Whilst proclaiming #MeToo on social media takes courage, it also allows for a certain distance, where change is really needed is in women’s day to day contact with each other. At a community level.
Community engagement for women is working in the UK. For example, in York the Kyra Women’s Project began as a support centre for women, supporting them to make changes in their lives. Started in 2013, the centre provides courses on building self-esteem, money issues and dealing with stress. It also offers counselling, social activities and encourages women to share their stories. Having started with a handful of women the project now has 750 members. Ann, a counsellor at the project advised that it “provides holistic support for women”. She said that by empowering women through learning new skills and meeting new people they can make positive changes in their lives be it in work or at home, through practical workshops on CV writing, IT skills and finance management.
The project also runs an 11-week freedom programme for those who have experienced abuse, showing them that what has happened to them is not their fault. Providing them with the skills to create personal boundaries and know the warning signs of abuse for future relationships. Ann said that the project receives no national or local government funding but relies on fundraising within the community, support from local non-profit organisations but also local businesses who recognise the benefits for the community when women are empowered to achieve their potential. Kyra means ‘strong woman’ in Slavic and there is no doubt that this project is helping the women of York to become just that. Community engagement for women is clearly a model that works and should be replicated in towns and villages across Britain.
The Government’s Response
The government continues to pass laws on domestic abuse in line with their Ending Violence Against Women and Girls 4-year strategy which includes the statement; “As the true scale of these crimes is revealed we need to strengthen our work to change attitudes, improve prevention and where possible rehabilitate offenders to stop reoffending”.[iv] The strategies aims are admirable but they do not tell the whole story of the government’s treatment towards abuse victims.
In November last year it was reported that the government plans to remove refuges from the welfare system meaning women will not be able to pay for their place with housing benefits.[v] This would force more women to stay in their dangerous environment. Many would have to keep their children in these environments with no other way of paying for a place in a safe refuge. For many women a refuge is the only way out from the abuse. The only way to start empowering themselves and to get themselves safe. Women’s Aid recently issued The Domestic Abuse Report 2017 in which they stated that there were more children than women in refuges on their survey day.[vi] Domestic abuse often includes financial control, be it complete control over household finances or the implicit suggestion that the woman is “unable” to manage her finances. This often leaves women with no financial independence or stability leaving many to have to rely on government assistance. To stop women using housing benefits for refuges will be catastrophic for many women and their children. The effect of domestic abuse on women is shattering with levels of post-traumatic stress disorder as high as 84%. [vii] It is vital that the government recognise the impact their policies are having on women and children across the country and that legislation is not enough to keep them safe. Burke’s hope of “empowerment through empathy” should be the aim of the government, to understand how women’s lives are being torn apart and to put in place real policies and support vital community projects to help women rebuild their lives for themselves and for their children.
Amy Tatum
[i] Ohlheiser, A. 2017. The Woman Behind ‘Me Too’ Knew The Power of the Phrase When She Created it – 10 Years Ago, [online] 19th October 2017. Available from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2017/10/19/the-woman-behind-me-too-knew-the-power-of-the-phrase-when-she-created-it-10-years-ago/?utm_term=.f6cf539953cf – accessed 20/03/2018
[ii] Imkaan, 2018. About [online], London:Imkaan. Available from: https://www.imkaan.org.uk/copy-of-training – accessed 12/03/2018
[iii]The Guardian, 2018. We Stand in Solidarity [Online] London: The Guardian. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2018/jan/08/we-stand-in-solidarity-emma-watson-and-marai-larasi-on-golden-globes-red-carpet-video – accessed 12/03/2018
[iv] Her Majesty’s Government, 2016. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2016-2020 [online]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-to-end-violence-against-women-and-girls-2016-to-2020 – accessed 19/03/2018
[v] Grierson, J. 2017. Women’s Lives at Risk from Changes to Funding for Refuges, say Charities [online] 26th November 2017. Available from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/26/womens-lives-at-risk-funding-changes-refuges-charities – accessed 20/03/2018
[vi] Davidge, S. and Magnusson, L. 2018, Survival and Beyond – The Domestic Abuse Report 2017 Report Summary [online], Women’s Aid, Bristol. Available from: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/research-and-publications/ – accessed 20/03/2018
[vii] Levendosky, A. and Graham-Bermann, S. 2001. Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women and Their Children, Journal of Family Violence [online] Vol. 16 No. 2
