News / vigils
Hundreds stand in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence
“One woman or girl is murdered every ten minutes by an intimate partner or family member.”
These were the words of Sarah O’Leary, the CEO of Next Link, Safe Link and Missing Link, as she quoted a UN report from 2024 at a candlelit vigil to mark the UN’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity near College Green on Thursday evening, as some survivors read poems capturing the horrors of domestic abuse they’ve suffered and their struggle to overcome the trauma.
O’Leary continued: “In 2024, in Bristol alone, we supported over 5,000 women in our Next Link service, over 1,500 women in our Safe Link service and over 390 children as child survivors of sexual abuse.
“Each year, it’s more and more people. Whilst it’s really positive that more women and children are reaching out for help and support, it is absolutely treacherous that they continue to be treated so poorly.”
The crowd observed a minute’s silence to pay respects to survivors, and two larger candles were lit to symbolise the two women in the UK who are believed to die each week from gender-based violence.
Attendees were also encouraged to join a display of survivor artwork at The Vestibules, following the vigil.
Hundreds of people stood in solidarity at the vigil to mark the UN’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls
At the end of a poem describing abuse suffered at the hands of her partner, one survivor said: “It was not me. It was not my fault.
“I was a victim, a survivor, a warrior who bravely survived the pain.
“I am the one who fought back, who survived.”
Speaking at the vigil, deputy leader for Bristol Labour and councillor for Horfield, Carole Johnson said: “I’m deeply honoured to be standing here tonight. Whilst I’m grateful for this gathering, I’m also very saddened by the profound need for it.
“Yet here we are, united in purpose.”
Johnson added that the “sensitive and vital matters” of gender-based violence were “historically burdened by shame”.
Quoting American academic Brene Brown, Johnson continued: “Shame, as Brene defines, is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and, therefore, unworthy of love and belonging.
“So let me say this clearly, you are not flawed. You are worthy, you are loved, and you belong here.
“So we will not be shamed for standing up for women and girls.”
All photos: Karen Johnson
Read next:
- Red dresses hung in Bristol park to highlight gender-based violence
- Parks to be made safer for women and girls
- ‘Female-led perspective of violence and womanhood’ in play within bombed-out church
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