Sharing support: Our 16 Days of Activism resource slideshow

As part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we shared daily posts spotlighting organisations across Greater Manchester that support women, girls and families experiencing abuse.

This year’s global theme – 'End digital violence against all women and girls' – reminded us that abuse doesn’t only happen offline. Digital control, surveillance, harassment and exploitation can be just as harmful, and often intersect with physical, emotional and sexual violence.

To make these vital resources easier to access, we’ve now brought them together in a single slideshow – an ongoing reference point for anyone who may need support themselves, or who wants to help someone else find the right service.

Why this slideshow matters

Campaigns like 16 Days help raise awareness – but support needs to be available every day of the year. By sharing this slideshow, we hope to:

• Remind people that help is available locally

• Make it easier to find trusted, specialist services

• Encourage anyone feeling unsafe or unsure to reach out

• Acknowledge the vital work of grassroots organisations across Greater Manchester

If you are experiencing abuse – or feel uneasy about something happening in your life – you are not alone and it is not your fault.

Grassroots organisations spotlighted

Throughout the campaign, we highlighted the following organisations and the support they offer:

• The Endeavour Project: A registered charity providing frontline community-based support, counselling, group work, specialist youth services and pet fostering for those affected by domestic abuse.

• Fortalice: Delivering frontline services including a refuge with 22 flats, alongside training and group work for women, men, families, children and young people affected by domestic abuse.

• SafeNet: Inclusive, non-judgemental support and respectful services helping women, men and children live lives free from domestic abuse.

• Safe Spots: Founded by survivors, offering a local, welcoming centre for help, advice, friendship and community-based support.

• Angels of Hope for Women: Empowering women facing domestic abuse, racial inequity, cultural barriers and social disadvantage through safe spaces, advocacy and outreach.

• Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association: Providing tailored safety planning and the only provider of the Freedom Programme in Urdu across the North West.

• Soul Sisters: Offering peer support groups, workshops and family court support for those impacted by domestic abuse.

• The Survivor Project: A volunteer-run charity offering information, advice and support to anyone affected by domestic or family abuse.

• Stockport Without Abuse: Providing prevention, intervention and support services to ensure everyone has the right to live their life free from fear and violence.

• OWLS Group (Ongoing Women’s Local Support): An award-winning peer support group led by experts with lived experience, supporting women and children through recovery.

• Jigsaw Homes: Supporting victims of domestic abuse and offering rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators through the Jigsaw Support programme.

• WHAG (Women’s Housing Aid Group): Providing outreach services and accommodation for women, young parents and families fleeing domestic abuse who are at risk of homelessness.

• Well Women Centre: Offering one-to-one, person-centred counselling in a women-only safe space, in person or by phone.

• Beauty for Ashes Refuge: Supporting migrant women with insecure immigration status and no recourse to public funds who are escaping domestic abuse.

Ending digital violence

Digital abuse is often used to coercively control – through constant messaging, surveillance, access to social media or banking apps, tracking devices or hidden monitoring technology.

It can escalate to harassment, impersonation, threats, image-based abuse, deepfakes and revenge porn. These harms affect mental health, increase isolation and can be a gateway to physical or sexual violence. In some cases, digital violence has led to suicide or femicide.

If something about your digital life doesn’t feel right, please ask for help. Reaching out takes strength – and you deserve support.

Helplines and immediate support

• Manchester Women’s Aid: 0161 660 7999

• Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 254 0909

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

• Revenge Porn Helpline: 0345 6000 459

• Greater Manchester Police: Contact your nearest station or call 101 (Textphone: 18001 101)

A resource beyond the campaign

The slideshow is an extension of our 16 Days activity – but, more importantly, it’s a reminder that support doesn’t end when a campaign does.

Please share it widely. Save it. Return to it when needed. You never know when it might help someone take the first step towards safety.