RISE: Drum out domestic abuse at city march

Citizens will be coming together to bang pots and pans, making a racket to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to make clear that it won’t be tolerated.

The family-friendly march is based on the centuries-old tradition of Rough Music, where villagers would march to the home of a violent husband and make noise to shame them into changing.

Here at Brighton and Hove’s domestic abuse charity RISE, we believe we need a similar community response to domestic abuse.

Silence is the friend of the abuser. We can’t keep quiet about domestic abuse. Talking about it helps to reduce stigma and open people up to the possibility of life free from abuse. We want to shout it from the rooftops that domestic abuse is not acceptable.

The march takes place during the annual 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which runs from November 25, the International Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls, to Human Rights Days on December 10.

Starting at The Level marchers will wind their way to RISEFest at the North Laine Brewhouse. Live music, face painting, a cake sale with Brighton Belles WI and a special RISE ale are on offer at this popular, annual RISE fundraiser.

More harmonious voices will be raised later in campaign as the RISE Up Singing Choir lift voices and spirits at their annual Christmas Concert, Winter Tales on December 12 at One Church, Brighton.

Fundraising events like these are vital in helping RISE offer help and hope to local families affected by domestic abuse.

RISE offers refuge accommodation, the only local helpline, legal and housing advice, low cost counselling and support groups to help survivors from crisis to recovery. RISE have staff based at key points across the city including Sussex County Hospital and St John’s Police station. With referrals up 74 per cent on the previous year, we need every penny possible to offer the right support at the right time.

Christmas is a particularly difficult time. The family life shown in adverts is as far away as possible from the lives of people who use RISE services. They may be staying in our refuges far from friends and family or trying to carefully negotiate child access in the holidays with their perpetrator. They may be trying to navigate daily life, trying desperately to keep themselves and their children safe. We want to be there for anyone who needs our help. We can only do this with community support.

To find out more about RISE and the events taking place over the coming weeks, visit: www.riseuk.org.uk

For support, call the RISE Helpline on 0300 323 9985.

Jo Gough is the CEO of Rise.

This article is the part of a series of Christmas features by Fugu PR showcasing the work of local charities.