Orange Week - Researchers talk about violence in close relationships
On 18-24 November, Orange Week is celebrated - a week free from violence in Jönköping County. During week 47, several different activities are carried out with the aim of spreading knowledge and commitment to domestic violence and men's violence against women. Jönköping University (JU) contributed by inviting the public to the University Library, where researchers from the network Tema våld at the School of Health and Welfare discussed the topic.
Researchers from the School of Health and Welfare talked about domestic violence in front of invited guests in the JMW hall.
On the afternoon of 19 November, around thirty visitors gathered in the JMW hall to listen to a discussion between researchers from the School of Health and Welfare. The discussion touched on issues such as how society can support victims of violence, where to turn if you are a victim of violence, and what to do if you have someone close to you who is a victim of violence.
The conversation began with Ylva Albertsson, team leader at the University Library, explaining why Orange Week is celebrated all over the world and why the colour orange was chosen as a symbol to draw attention to violence against women.
“As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a world free from violence against women and girls,” said Ylva.
Concrete measures to reduce violence are important
Nina Åkerlund, assistant professor in Social Work and Mikael Skillmark, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, were two of the initiators of the research talks.
“What's new is that we all work interprofessional with violence, but we've done it in our different departments. Now the idea is to take a joint approach and to be able to make joint applications across departmental boundaries in the future. We also want to help each other move forward and to be able to attract future new colleagues,” says Nina.
Nina thinks it is a very good initiative and recognizes the importance of not only raising the issue, but also of society taking concrete measures to reduce violence.
Nina Åkerlund and Mikael Skillmark, senior lecturers in social work, were among those who initiated the research dialogue during Orange Week.
“Not just raising the issue, but also taking action, is one of the major challenges we face. That's why this initiative is also a good example of actually doing something,” she says.
Nina hopes that the initiative will also generate interest among students who might not normally study these kinds of issues. She wants the students to realize that a lot of research is being done at the school and be inspired by it.
Two students who found the topic highly interesting and the research talk very useful were Moa Suddergaard and Fannie Levin, who are both studying the Sociology program at the School of Health and Welfare and are currently writing their bachelor's thesis on domestic violence among young people.
“It has been very interesting to take part in the discussion here today and, above all, that it provided so many different perspectives,” says Fannie.
Both think it is important that JU draws attention to the topic and appreciate that they have been invited to the event.
“It's great to see so many participants and that it's a topic that engages,” says Moa.
Fannie Levin and Moa Suddergaard are studying to become social workers and found the conversation interesting.
Want to increase commitment against violence in close relationships
In previous years, Orange Week has also been recognized by the University Library, where a literature exhibition has highlighted the subject. The exhibition is also in place this year, but inviting researchers to speak is something new that JU has done to increase engagement in the issue among both the general public and students.
The network Theme Violence is part of the School of Health and Welfare's research environment, Studies on Integrated Health and Welfare (SIHW), and consists of people from JU and partners. The participants share an interest in developing knowledge about men's violence against women and violence in close relationships, its expression and its consequences for people, as well as the actors that exist to prevent and combat violence.
“Domestic violence is a major societal problem and an issue that is important to talk about and raise awareness about. We wanted to draw more attention to the week and the topic this year and thought it was natural to turn to the School of Health and Welfare and their research,”says Ylva Albertsson.
Orange Week
- Recognized globally as ‘Orange Week’ - ‘A week free from violence’ - the initiative focuses on how different actors can work to prevent violence against women and girls.
- The initiative is part of the global campaign ‘Orange the World,’ launched by the UN to combat violence against women and girls.
- During week 47, people are encouraged to wear orange clothing as a symbol of support for the fight against violence.
- 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the day itself is marked by lighting up Jönköping County in orange. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a world free from violence against women and girls.
More information about the Orange Day campaign (in Swedish)
External link, opens in new window.
