Pledge to stop domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders
Do Your Bit to Stop Domestic Abuse in the Scottish Borders
Domestic abuse is happening behind closed doors, but it affects every part of our community. The women living with it are in our towns and villages, our schools, clubs, workplaces and communities. Many have children who are living in fear too. They are our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family. The individuals responsible live all around us as well.
Domestic abuse doesn’t always look like violence. It can be control over a woman’s life, ongoing fear, isolation or threats. But every time we ignore it, excuse it or blame the woman, we make it easier for it to continue.
Sign the Pledge today and show your commitment to creating a safer Scottish Borders for women and girls.
- I believe women and girls have the right to live safely, free from fear, control, and violence.
- I will do my bit by calling out abuse, sharing information, and standing in support of Border Women’s Aid.
- Together, we can help stop domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders
Why it matters
Every week in Scotland, a woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner (source: STV News, 2023). Every day, women across the Borders are living with fear. Controlled by their partner. Trapped by threats, shame or the fear of speaking out. Some will be blamed for staying and many won’t be believed.
In one year alone, hundreds of domestic abuse incidents were reported in our region, but thousands more go unreported. Behind each number is a woman whose life is being destroyed, often smiling on the outside, concealing physical or emotional torture. Many are raising children in the middle of it, who often suffer deep trauma as a result. These women are hiding in plain sight. You already know many of them, and you know their partners too.
This campaign is about showing women and girls that they’re not alone and reminding the rest of us that we all have a part to play in stopping domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders.
“ I signed the pledge because domestic abuse is everyone’s problem. We all have a role to play and this is mine.” – Local supporter, Peebles
What Doing Your Bit Looks Like
You don’t need to do everything. But everyone can do something. Together we can help stop domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders.
- Sign the pledge and encourage others to do the same
- Learn the signs so you can recognise when something’s wrong
- Listen without judgement if someone speaks to you, believe them
- Contact Border Women’s Aid before taking action, get advice
- Share support – put up a poster, repost a message, talk about it
- Challenge abuse and harmful attitudes – especially when it’s uncomfortable
- Donate if you can – every gift helps us support more women towards a safer life
- Stay connected – sign up to our quarterly newsletter for campaign news and stories
Explore more
What doing your bit looks like
Taking action against domestic abuse starts with a simple step: signing the pledge. By doing so, you show your commitment to helping create a safer Scottish Borders for women and girls.
Beyond signing the pledge, here are some of the ways you can safely and effectively do your bit:
Learn the signs
Understanding what domestic abuse looks like helps you recognise when something’s not right – whether it’s physical, emotional, financial or controlling behaviour in-person or through digital devices, Border Women’s Aid can help you learn more about what to look out for.
Support survivors
If someone opens up to you, believe them. Listen without judgement and let them know they are not alone. You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters is being there, offering support, and suggesting they contact Border Women’s Aid for guidance. Let them know about our service and that support is available.
Contact Border Women’s Aid for advice
If you’re worried about someone, speak to us first. We can help you work out the safest way to support them without putting them at greater risk. Sometimes calling out abuse can make things worse for the woman involved – we’re here to help you make the right call.
Share our information
Put our posters up at work, in the local café, your club or community group. Share our posts online. You never know who might see it and find the courage to reach out.
Encourage change where you are
If you’re part of a workplace, group or club, help make it a place that supports women. That might mean encouraging your employer to adopt a domestic abuse policy or making sure your club or community space is a safe place where abuse isn’t ignored, excused or tolerated.
Challenge harmful attitudes
Sexist jokes, controlling behaviour, putting women down – these are all part of the culture that allows abuse to continue. Saying something shows it’s not acceptable.
Donate if you can
Every contribution helps. Leaving us a gift in your will, setting up a small regular payment or making a one-off donation will help us make a valuable difference to the women we support. We rely on this kind of support to keep our service running and to be there when women and their children need us most.
Stay connected
Sign up to our quarterly newsletter and keep in touch with the campaign. You’ll hear how your support is making a difference, what’s happening locally, and how to keep doing your bit.
Doing your bit doesn’t mean doing everything. It means doing something.
Do Your Bit to Stop Domestic Abuse in the Scottish Borders. Sign the pledge and be part of the change.
How to take part in the pledge
Getting involved is simple. You don’t need special skills, a big platform or a lot of time. Just a willingness to do your bit.
Here’s how to take part in the campaign:
Sign the pledge
This is the first step. It shows your commitment to helping stop domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders and adds your voice to a growing community of support.
Leave a message of support
When you sign the pledge, you can tell us why it matters to you. These messages help show the strength of community backing and will be shared anonymously on our website and campaign materials.
Invite others to sign
Share the pledge with friends, family, your workplace, local groups and clubs. The more people who take part, the stronger the message.
Stay informed
Tick the box to receive our quarterly newsletter. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening, how your support is making a difference, and what’s coming next.
Donate if you can
If you’re able to, even a small contribution makes a difference. You can make a one-off donation, set up a regular payment, or consider leaving something in your will. Every penny helps us stay open and reach more women and their children.
Use your space
Display our posters and help spread the word in your school, club, workplace or community.
Together, we can build a stronger, safer Borders where domestic abuse is never ignored, and women always have someone to turn to.
We’ve pledged to do our bit
Supporting Border Women’s Aid
Do Your Bit to Stop Domestic Abuse in the Scottish Borders. Sign the pledge and be part of the change.
Resources for employers, clubs, or schools
Domestic abuse is everybody’s business. It’s everybody’s responsibility to create an environment where domestic abuse is not tolerated. We can all do our bit to make our workplaces, social spaces, schools and colleges supportive and safe for the women and children in our community.
Here are some helpful tools to check out:
Professionals: Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (SDAFMH)
Training for Scottish workforce: Equally Safe in Practice | Strengthening Practice, Changing Attitudes
Employers: Domestic Abuse: a toolkit for employers - Guide For Employers (English resource) and Equally Safe at Work, Supporting employers to advance gender equality and prevent violence against women
Teachers: Equally Safe at School, A whole school approach to preventing gender based violence and Safeguarding: Domestic abuse information for educators, Resources, Education Scotland
Health Professionals: Health Improvement Training and Learning – Gender Based Violence, NHS Lanarkshire and additional information for GPs
Housing Professionals: Are you experiencing domestic abuse? and they have a DA policy. Borders Housing Network; Waverley Housing
Quotes from supporters
‘As Chair Border Women’s Aid, I am proud to support this pledge and our commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities for women and children affected by domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders.
This pledge is a meaningful step toward change. By signing it, you are not only acknowledging the reality of domestic abuse in our community — you are actively choosing to be part of the solution. You are saying: we see you, we hear you, and you do not have to face this alone.
We are proud to work alongside local businesses and organisations who are willing to speak out. Your voice matters. Your commitment matters. Together, we can build a community that refuses to ignore abuse or excuse it — and instead offers hope, support, and safety.’
Sharon Thomas, Chair of BWA’s Board of Trustees
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‘I am proud to sign Border Women’s Aid’s pledge. No woman or girl should ever have to feel unsafe in her own home, and we must do more to tackle domestic abuse in our society. Too often, it happens behind closed doors, and in every part of our community. I will continue to do all I can in the Borders to stamp out these appalling crimes.’
Scottish Borders MP - John Lamont
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‘I am proud to support Borders Women’s Aid and its vital work providing safety, care, and dignity to those in need.
In signing this pledge, I affirm the importance of ensuring that services like Borders Women’s Aid remain inclusive, safe, and welcoming for everyone — including LGBTQ+ young people, who often face distinct barriers when seeking help and support. By signing, I pledge my commitment to positive change and to encouraging more services to follow Borders Women’s Aid’s example: delivering inclusive, compassionate, and accessible support for all.
No young person — including those who are LGBTQ+ — should ever feel they have nowhere to turn. Together, we stand united in refusing to ignore abuse or excuse it.’
Ann Marriott, Youth Work Manager, LGBT Youth Scotland
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‘Borders College is committed to making positive changes towards Violence Against Women & Girls, and working in partnership with others to support our community needs.’
Hilary Broatch, Borders College - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer
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‘I am pleased to support this important initiative to help women who are suffering domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders. Too often women are afraid to speak up and are suffering in silence.’
Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair
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‘At Police Scotland we are committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse and holding perpetrators to account. We will continue to thoroughly investigate every report, listen to victims, and ensure those effected received the support and protection they deserve. We recognise that tackling domestic abuse and gender-based violence requires strong partnerships and we are committed to working closely with our partners to prevent harm, safeguard those at risk and build safer communities for all. As we approach the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence we affirm our dedication to ending violence against women and girls and, this year, stand with young people who voices and experiences must be heard. Together we will challenge abuse, support victims and work towards a Scotland free of fear and violence.’
DI Keith Sinclair, Police Scotland - Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit
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‘I’m making this pledge as I feel it is my duty as a father and husband, and as a member of this community, to help to ensure that we live in a society where everyone is able to live as happily and safely as possible. I feel it’s my responsibility to challenge unacceptable attitudes and behaviours and to help prevent the harm caused by domestic abuse to both direct and indirect victims. Let’s all stand together to eradicate this often-hidden problem by challenging it wherever it raises its ugly head.’
Calum Ross, Individual Supporter
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‘Happy to stand alongside you on this, to bring about change for the vulnerable.’
Councillor John Bathgate
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‘The reality that women and children in our community are living with domestic abuse, often hidden and isolated, is unacceptable. I am signing this pledge to stand in solidarity with those experiencing fear, control, and harm. My signature represents my commitment to bringing this hidden issue into the light and supporting a world where no one has to face abuse alone. It’s time for positive change, and I want to be a part of it.’
Ross Nicol - Plexus
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‘My work is about helping women find confidence in who they are and what they stand for. But beyond that, I’m a supporter of women, and as a mother to two daughters and a son, I care deeply about building a world that’s fair and free from fear. Gender-based violence affects us all, and change starts with empathy, education, and the courage to speak up. If we can each take small steps to support and protect one another, together we can create a safer, more equal world for everyone.’
Lauren Jamieson - The Colourful Edit
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‘Border Women’s Aid is a vital part of the fight to stamp out domestic abuse in the Scottish Borders. Abuse is often hidden, occurring behind closed doors, with those affected feeling shame and fear. It is imperative that this topic is discussed openly and tackled head on, with support and understanding provided to those in need. Please support Border Women’s Aid in their essential work.’
Anonymous
