Sexual & Domestic (intimate partner) violence is now being called a shadow pandemic. During COVID19, the cases of such violence are on the rise and it is difficult for Women and girls fto report these acts, speak up, find help and also access resources. We have started a weekly session called SafeCircle every Friday at 3 - 5 pm IST. It is a secure, trusting space for survivors of violence where they can share experiences and be heard without judgement.
According to UN Women, 1 in 3 women worldwide face some kind of sexual assault at least once in their life. We know these statistics are grossly underreported, such as in India, where it's estimated that a rape occurs every 20 minutes. Most women & girls stay silent about assaults for myriad reasons: societal constraints, victim blaming, fear of police, insensitive health workers, etc. As a result, critical data is not captured, perpetrators are emboldened, and women continue to be victimised.
SafeCircle is a secure, trusting space for survivors of violence. This is a non-judgemental listening circle for survivors to share their experiences, learn from others and know that they are not alone. We are facilitating a safe community space where survivors can seek to find solutions through sharing, listening and offering insights. Please note it is not a therapy session nor is it an SOS solution. An online SafeCircle will be held on a virtual platform every Friday at 3-5 pm IST.
Women and girls will find a community of support during the pandemic to cope with domestic and sexual violence. Sharing stories and listening to others is the first step towards healing and building resiliency to seek further help - legal or counselling. This project will have a long term impact in building resilience amongst women and girls to find the help they need.