PLEASE NOTE: The 2026 programme of events is still being finalised – watch this space for updates!
16 Days of Action is an annual, international campaign which raises awareness of, and calls for an end to gender-based violence. The campaign runs from Tuesday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and finishes on Wednesday 10 December, Human Rights Day.
It is estimated that 25% of women have experienced some form of gender-based abuse before the age of 16. In England and Wales 3,000 offences are recorded each day, with 1 in 12 women a victim of violence every year, with the actual number expected to be much higher.
Organisations in Cornwall are running a calendar of free events over the 16 days, which you can find below and sign up to via the Eventbrite links. Please show your support by joining in and learning more.
As well as a the scheduled events below, many churches, libraries and local businesses across Cornwall will have awareness displays dedicated to domestic abuse and violence against woman and girls. You can access our digital resource pack via the link button below
A huge thank you to all partners for their dedication to delivering Cornwall’s 16 days of action against gender-based violence campaign. Click the links below to learn more about the services they provide.
We are still in the process of updating the calendar below and there are more events to come! Please check back soon for further info. Click on the arrows below for further event details.
There is also a whole range of events being hosted by 16 Days Penzance. Check out their website here.
Join West Cornwall Women’s Aid for their Vigil and March through Penzance. More info can be found at Solidarity Walk and Vigil | 16 Days Of Activism
17:30 – 19:30. Wherrytown Carpark, Penzance TR18 4NP, UK
Join CLEAR at the CLEAR office, Cathedral Lane, Truro for this event. Times and further event information to follow.
Visit Truro Cathedral to see a display of artwork from survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, in partnership with Becoming Arethusa CIC, Cornwall Refuge Trust, and West Cornwall Women’s Aid. This event is in partnership with the Diocese of Truro, Truro Cathedral and the Mother’s Union.
More information here: Becoming Arethusa CIC – Art Therapy Shaping Social Justice
Bearing Witness, exhibition of creative work produced by women in response to male violence. Hosted by West Cornwall Women’s Aid.
More information can be found here: Bearing Witness exhibition | 16 Days Of Activism
An online event for parents. 26th November, 7pm. Book via Eventbrite.
An in person event at Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. More information to follow.
A Microsoft Teams presentation to raise awareness by RSPCA Cornwall Branch. 10am.
Book your place: RSPCA Cornwall Branch Raising Awareness Tickets, Monday 30 November • 10 AM – 11 AM GMT | Eventbrite
A Microsoft Teams presentation by Refuge 4 Pets. Visit their website: www.refuge4pets.org.uk
Book your place by emailing [email protected]
This event will be hosted by The Women’s Centre Cornwall. Details tbc – Falmouth area.
12-2pm: Facilitated reflective discussion for youth workers and other professionals working with young people and families focused on how we talk about gender-based violence with young people. Booking info to follow.
Join Safer Cornwall and partners for a professional conference as part of this years 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Bringing together professionals from across Cornwall, the event will explore how we can strengthen our collective response to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and improve outcomes for women, girls and families.
The morning will consist of:
More info to follow.
Our colleagues across the South West are also hosting events. To find out what is going on across the Peninsula during 16 Days, please follow the links below:
Plymouth – Coming soon
Devon – 16 Days of Action in Devon – Safer Devon
Torbay – 16 Days of Action 2024: Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence – Are you OK?
Always call 999 if you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm.
Further information about Domestic Abuse, including gender-based violence, can be found on the Safer Cornwall website here: https://safercornwall.co.uk/domestic-abuse-sexual-violence/
You can also learn more about our Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy and our Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) strategy.
For information about Domestic Abuse for non-english speakers, please click here to watch The Women’s Centre Cornwall videos in Arabic, Bulgarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Ukrainian.
