Colleagues and clients at our Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) are being encouraged to share their experiences and reflections through an interactive artwork which will be displayed to the public as part of the county’s activities to mark the global 16 Days of Action Against Gender-based Violence.
Commencing on the 25 November, the 16 Days of Action campaign begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
GDASS colleagues have created a Tree of Action which gives all those visiting GDASS’s Gloucester office the opportunity to write a pledge on a leaf and add it to the tree to promote ongoing reflection and awareness.
GSA provided a £250 grant towards the materials for the Tree of Action.
Elaine Davis, a support Worker at GDASS who has led on the Tree of Action project said:
“This project is one of many awareness raising initiatives GDASS are delivering throughout the 16 Days of Action campaign. We are proud to be able to give a voice to those have experienced the feeling of powerlessness which being abused often triggers.
“After the 16 Days are over, clients and colleagues will have their ‘leaf’ and artwork returned to them as a reminder to them of the power of speaking out.”
The Tree of Action will go on tour across Gloucestershire stopping at Forest of Dean District Council, The Nelson Trust Women’s Centre and other organisations across the county. As a finale, the tree and client’s artwork will be displayed at Shire Hall in Gloucester to coincide with the Gloucestershire Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy Launch on Monday 8 December.
Cllr Jackie Dale, Cabinet Member for Communities at Forest of Dean District Council, said:
“Domestic abuse affects people across all communities, including rural communities such as those in the Forest of Dean. It is not only a private issue but a societal one, with profound impacts on health, wellbeing, and safety.
“GDASS provides vital services to those experiencing abuse, offering practical help, emotional support, and pathways to safety, and the Council’s partnership with GDASS reflects our shared responsibility to ensure that survivors are supported and empowered to rebuild their lives.
“The pledge tree is a powerful symbol of solidarity. Staff, councillors, and visitors are invited to write pledges that demonstrate their commitment to ending domestic abuse. Each pledge placed on the tree represents a personal promise to contribute to change, creating a collective voice that says clearly: abuse will not be tolerated in our community."
Find out more about GDASS here: About - Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
