Every year, from 25th November to 10th December, communities across the world come together for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. It’s a powerful global movement designed to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and encourage positive action to prevent all forms of abuse.

At PEGS, these 16 days offer an important opportunity to highlight an issue that is still too often hidden or misunderstood: Child to Parent Abuse.

For many parents and carers, speaking out about their experiences can feel impossible. Shame, fear of judgement, or simply not knowing where to turn can leave families struggling in silence. By taking part in this campaign, we aim to ensure that no parent feels alone, unheard, or unsupported.

What the 16 Days of Activism Represents

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign first launched in 1991. It links two significant dates:

• 25th November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

• 10th December - Human Rights Day

These dates underline a simple truth: safety, respect and freedom from abuse are fundamental human rights.

Throughout the 16 days, organisations, professionals, and communities unite to:

• Raise awareness
• Share stories and lived experience
• Provide education and support
• Advocate for meaningful change

For PEGS, it is an essential time to help raise understanding of Child to Parent Abuse, ensuring families affected by CPA feel seen and supported.

How PEGS Is Taking Part Across the Country

This year, our team has been involved in a wide range of activities designed to improve awareness, encourage conversation, and provide guidance on recognising and responding to Child to Parent Abuse.

National and Local Events

PEGS have been attending events, delivering workshops, and speaking at conferences throughout the 16 days. These sessions focus on improving understanding of CPA and helping professionals feel confident in supporting families.

Awareness Campaigns:

Our social media channels and website have been sharing daily insights, resources, and information about Child to Parent Abuse. We’re committed to breaking down stigma, increasing understanding, and signposting support for families.

Community Conversations:

We have been connecting with parents, carers, and practitioners across the country, ensuring that the experiences of families affected by CPA are recognised and validated.

Introducing: 16 Voices:

One of the most meaningful parts of our campaign this year is our 16 Voices project.
Across the 16 days, we will be sharing messages from lived experience voices, professionals and organisations who have partnered up with PEGS.

These voices aim to empower families, educate professionals, and help reduce the shame and isolation so many parents feel.

Why This Work Matters

Child to Parent Abuse is more common than many realise, yet it remains one of the least spoken-about forms of abuse. Families often worry about being judged or misunderstood, and many simply don’t know where to turn.

The 16 Days of Activism helps remind us that:

• Abuse can affect any family

• No parent or carer should feel ashamed

• Support exists

• Awareness leads to change

By raising the profile of Child to Parent Abuse, we can help ensure early intervention, better understanding and more compassionate responses for families who need support.

This month, we have also held a team meeting and asked each of our team members to share what the 16 Days of Activism means to them.

Some of their responses included:

• “Ending male violence”
  
  
• “White Ribbon is about men standing up against violence towards women”
  
  
• “Everyone deserves to feel safe online”
  
  
• “If we don’t talk about it, who will?”
  
  

It was a powerful reminder of why raising awareness and having these conversations matters for all of us.

As the 16 Days of Activism comes to an end, our team has learned so much, shared so much, and opened up important new conversations around Child to Parent Abuse and gender-based violence.

We’re grateful for the chance to amplify voices, raise awareness, and continue shining a light on experiences that too often remain hidden. 

What have you done to help create change this 16 days?