Victoria Sweetman

Head of Service, Women & Trauma @socialinterest_ • Proud feminist • Passionate about providing specialist services • All views expressed are my own

[Social Interest Group @socialinterest_]

At SIG we believe gender identity is a matter of personal choice. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made about gender this week by the PM, Home Sec and Health Sec, which are inaccurate and irresponsible. We stand in solidarity with trans people everywhere

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

So pleased to have taken part in and be at the ⁦@UKSAYSNOMORE⁩ and ⁦@staysafeglobal⁩ launch of Tackling Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence in the Workplace & At Home resources

⁦@socialinterest_⁩

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

Having watched the #HiddenGirls documentary i’m feeling honoured to hear the stories and extraordinarily brave, resilient, powerful and authentic voices in tonight’s event through @LSBU @uniofbrighton @jae_rita @TirionHavard @AmandaKirton @Outofthe_Shadow @NiamhyHughes4 #endVAWG

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

@FirstPortHelp Hi, I’ve been trying your customer services number for over an hour, on hold for ages and then cut off /hung up…is there anyone in?!?

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

Texting when leaving/going home & arriving home, carrying keys, crossing road, walk fast, pretend to tie shoelace so men walk passed, identifying shops as sanctuary, walking in road, keeping taxi window open as escape, always listening/observing, eyes down #EnoughIsEnough @WEP_UK

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

@Sarah_Dangelis My heart hurt when I saw the notification, words can’t do justice. It could have been any of us. 💔

[Garry Carmody @GarryCarmody]

This video has always stuck with me since I first watched it, something for all men to be considering tonight.

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

@grow_your_wings I was 12 cycling with a school friend when a flasher jumped out of the woods shaking his nakedness at us and clearly enjoying our fear.

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

My heart hurts. The agony her family must be going through 💔

It could have been any woman.

We live with the fear. Everyday continuously making adjustments to minimise the risks of being hurt or murdered. Enough is enough.

#SarahEverard #ReclaimTheNight

[BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking]

'Human remains' found in woodland in Kent, England, by officers searching for missing 33-year-old Sarah Everard, police say

https://t.co/GzgEEziujk

[Kate McCann @KateEMcCann]

You’re a grown woman and in no other area of your life do you feel so vulnerable. You resent it even though you understand there is a risk - however small. It is frustrating and tiring and constant. And yet sometimes, despite all those calculations, it still isn’t enough.

[Kate McCann @KateEMcCann]

Even being on the phone has downsides. One eye is always on the person in front or behind - would they help me, might they be a threat? Should I cross the road, would that make it worse? Are there lights on in any of these houses if I need to pretend this is where I live?

[Kate McCann @KateEMcCann]

Tell friends ‘it’s fine, it’s just around the corner, I’ll text when I’m back’ …but still we make a plan - Keys gripped between fingers we map the corner shops we could duck into en-route. Swap shoes for trainers in case we need to run. Keep our music low or turned off.

[Kate McCann @KateEMcCann]

What happened to Sarah Everard has hit home hard for so many women because we make the calculations she did every day too. We take the longer, better-lit route, push the fear aside for the voice that says ‘don't be daft, you've every right to walk home alone at night and be safe’

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

Almost all young women in the UK have been sexually harassed, survey finds https://t.co/JiZ7743RPK

[Social Interest Group @socialinterest_]

“Mindfulness isn’t silence, it’s just bringing yourself into the moment.”

Wise words from our women’s lead Victoria. This women’s Wednesday the focus is on how to free our minds.

#WomensWednesday #Mindfulness #MentalHealth

https://t.co/sgGsEJpcpE

[Social Interest Group @socialinterest_]

“This #WomensWednesday I wanted to share how important it is to feel empowered.

It is through the hardest of times that we find our strength and way to #empowerment. As the poem states ‘It all begins and ends with you”

- Tricia Medford, Service Manager

#Poem #Women #Support

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

@facethesunbfree @Sarah_Dangelis @socialinterest_ @UKSAYSNOMORE And yet the worst part is we still feel the need to justify 😔 even now I catch myself doing it

[Victoria Sweetman @v_sweetman]

@SofieHagen

[Social Interest Group @socialinterest_]

Victim Blaming is when a victim/survivor of a crime or act of harm is held fully or partially responsible for what happened to them.

Let's #change the below responses from judgement & shame to support, #safety & empathy by holding to account those that commit harmful acts.