This year, we are proud to launch Open the Door, a campaign that explores what is possible when survivors can take the first steps towards safety and are able to recover.
We want to collaborate with survivors across Derbyshire to share your inspiring stories of resilience and courage. Through survivor voice we will highlight the people, actions, support services and interventions that helped you ‘open the door’ to a safer future. Or what does it mean to you as a survivor to now be behind a door that is safe?
Open the Door will celebrate what is possible when the right support is available. The campaign shines a spotlight on hope, healing and recovery, showcasing how survivors have rebuilt their lives, regained independence and gone on to thrive.
The centrepiece for this year’s campaign is an interactive exhibition that places survivors’ experience at its heart. Visitors will be invited to explore a unique advent style display featuring 16 doors each representing the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
The campaign starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Behind each door, visitors will discover:
- Survivor stories and reflections.
- The support, people and services that helped survivors reach safety.
- Messages of hope and encouragement for those currently experiencing abuse.
- Examples of recovery, growth and life beyond abuse.
Open the Door challenges common perceptions of domestic abuse while celebrating the impact that timely support and intervention can have. This campaign celebrates survivor’s strength and resilience and their voices will support others in their recovery.
If you are a survivor or have lived experience of abuse and want to share what helped you to escape, rebuild and thrive, please get in touch: [email protected]
You can share confidentially and safely here:
All responses will remain anonymous, and to help others this will be shared across our Open the Door advent displays.
#theelmfoundation #DomesticAbuseSupport #survivorvoices #openthedoor #16daysofactivism #actionagainstviolence #endgenderbasedviolence #VAWG #endviolenceagainstwomen #humanrightsday
