In November, IDAS held a series of events across Yorkshire as part of the 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women and girls. IDAS events included professionals’ open sessions, our Pledge your Palm event in Barnsley and the moving art installation ‘In Her Shoes’.

Created by Mim Robson and Hannah Davies 'In Her Shoes', featured 100 pairs of women's shoes accompanied by a poem.  The shoes are symbolic of the 100 women who are murdered every year by their partner or ex-partner.  Our aim with the installation was to raise awareness of the issues surrounding domestic abuse, promote our services to those that might need support, and encourage meaningful conversations throughout our community.

Artist Mim attached individual, hand-made flowers to each pair of shoes. “I noticed the variation in shoes and it made me think of the diversity of women who are affected by domestic abuse, so I made each flower using different fabrics to represent that individuality and diversity.’”

The installation toured York, Northallerton, Harrogate and Selby over the 16 days, and throughout those days we had many thoughtful and emotional conversations with members of the public. In York, we were also honoured to have a live reading from the poet, Hannah Davies, who used the words of domestic abuse survivors to write the poem accompanying the installation. “IDAS are an important charity doing fantastic work. They helped me in out in a very difficult time, and the work they do is invaluable for many. I am proud to be supporting this fantastic charity and using my creative voice to help bring their important work to the public in an inspiring and impactful way.”

For more information please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IDASfor100/