Sarah Jayne Walker, ARCH’s Chair of the Board of Trustees speaks about Violence Against Women and why the work ARCH does is important, today on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and every day.

“Violence against women remains a public health problem and human rights violation of pandemic proportions that preceded the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue long after it. The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is an important opportunity to raise awareness globally and call for changes at a local, national and international level to end violence against women and girls.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by sexual violence and abuse, which can have a devastating impact on every aspect of a person’s life, often resulting in a number of long-term physical and psychological (and wider) impacts. 

In a society where rape has effectively become ‘decriminalised’ – as we witness the lowest levels of prosecutions and convictions since records began – ARCH continues to provide vital and life-changing emotional and practical support to women and girls, whatever stage they are at in their ‘journey to recovery’. The team at ARCH, which includes Independent Sexual Violence Advocates and specialist sexual abuse counsellors, truly believe, care about, and support every individual (and in many cases their family members) who walks through their door, offering important validation, improved emotional well-being and recovery, all positive outcomes that go beyond the improved criminal justice outcomes.

I am proud to be associated with the successful, specialist, and crucial service that all at ARCH provide to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

They support those women and girls in their local community who need them the most. I would urge everybody to support ARCH and the 16 Days of Activism campaign in whatever way they can”