Circle of Strength: Combating Domestic Violence Through Friendship 

Friends hold a special place in our heart. Without a friend to grab a coffee with, accompany us to a new workout class, or reminisce about our school days with, life would be pretty boring. 

Friendship is also very often more than that; our friends become our lifelines. They are like family, playing integral roles in our lives and shaping the type of people we become. They are there through thick and thin, sharing our happiness and sorrows of life.

With the shocking statistic of 1 in 3 women and many men experiencing domestic violence globally, friendship is also vital in the fight to end domestic abuse and social injustice worldwide. 

Today on the International Friendship Day, we explore how friendship can help individuals suffering domestic violence and how we can apply the lessons and principles of International Friendship Day in our fight against domestic violence. 

Origin of the International Friendship Day

The idea of celebrating friendship day was first suggested by the World Friendship Crusade, an organisation founded by Dr Ramón Artemio Bracho and his friends in Paraguay in 1958. In 2011, the UN officially declared the International Day of Friendship with the intent to acknowledge and celebrate friendship as a means of promoting togetherness and kindness across national and regional communities. 

Since then, there has been an overwhelmingly positive increase in celebrations of friendship and conversations surrounding the importance of supportive friendship dynamics. To mark this day, the UN also encourages organisations and individuals to hold community activities, events, and initiatives that promote cultural understanding and opens a dialogue founded on diversity and respect. 

Why is International Friendship Day so Important? 

So, why do we have a whole day celebrating friendship? What makes having friends so important?

Well friendship positively affects people’s lives in a variety of ways. 

• Perhaps the most obvious – Community. Friendships help us build connections with people who have our shared interests and values. Having this network enhances our sense of belonging, gives us a community to be a part of, and helps combat loneliness, isolation and confusion, 
• Friendships enhance our emotional resilience – Being surrounded by supportive people enriches our lives by granting us access to new perspectives, advice, encouragement, and enjoyment. Friendships provide us with the necessary network to tackle life’s tough times and stresses.
• They make us healthier! Multiple studies have found overwhelming evidence that having fulfilling friendships decreases your risk of health problems, including, depression, heart attack, diabetes, and stroke. 

Taking these facts into account, it is clear to see why friendships are vital to ending domestic violence. With a supportive community network easily accessible, individuals are less likely to experience isolation and loneliness and are in a physically and emotionally healthier position to better navigate a domestic violence situation. 

Unfortunately however, simply having friends often isn’t enough to help people facing domestic violence to break free. As a friend you need to be there to support, free from any biases and judgements. Let’s get to know how.

How can You Help Your Friend Who’s in a Domestic Violence Relationship?

If you think a friend is experiencing domestic violence – whether they’ve directly confided in you or you or you suspect it – it can often seem difficult to support them. However, it is good to understand how you can be there for them through being a good friend.

1. 👂Listen – If you know a friend is suffering from domestic abuse, one of the key ways you can help is to listen. It can take an enormous amount of strength to discuss abuse, so actively listening to a friend’s feelings and experiences is vital. Acknowledge the bravery of their discussion and let them know their experiences are heard, understood, and believed. 
2. 🕊️Acknowledge – Ensure to adopt non-judgmental language, making sure to not blame them and give them time to talk at their own pace and comfort.
3. ✅ Reassure – Very often people suffering from domestic violence can take time to recognise their abuse and even longer to leave it. Tell your friend that no one deserves to be threatened or beaten, despite what the abuser said. Nothing your friend does or says justifies the abuser’s behaviour. 
4. 🫱 Offer Help –  Ask if your friend has suffered physical harm. Help them go to a doctor, report to the police or seek legal help, if they choose to do so. Be prepared to direct them to support organisations and information. Whether telling them about Spring ACT’s Chatbot Sophia or guiding them to local domestic violence shelters and organisations, directing a friend to the necessary support services is essential to getting them the help they need.
5. 📝 Plan: Plan safe strategies with your friend for leaving an abusive relationship. Offer to look after an emergency bag for them, if they want this.
6. 🙌 Empower: Remember, it is your friend’s decision what to do. You can encourage but do not push them. They set the boundaries of what is safe to do. Don’t urge your friend if they express doubt. Allow your friend to make their own decisions.

How can Chatbot Sophia Help End Domestic Violence?

SpringACT’s Chatbot Sophia acts much as a friend – lending a supportive and non-judgmental ear to individuals experiencing domestic violence, and signposting to relevant local resources. 

Accessible on any messenger app or browser, Chatbot Sophia grants survivors the digital space to store evidence of their abuse, assess their legal rights, and explore their possible next steps. By providing this anonymous space, Sophia allows for survivors to work through their emotions, experiences, and decisions safely and in their own time. 

Through partnering with domestic violence organisations worldwide, Chatbot Sophia forms a global directory of local resources survivors can access. Operating in 12 languages 24/7, Sophia provides a comprehensive and accessible lifeline to its users. 

Key Takeaways from International Friendship Day

As we celebrate International Friendship Day, please take a moment to consider how you can work to be a supportive and proactive friend. 

Domestic violence is a worldwide issue and it requires all of us to ACT to end domestic violence. 

The reality of domestic abuse is that it can be incredibly difficult to leave; being a supportive friend for someone – whether that’s listening to their concerns or guiding them to domestic violence resources, is vital to helping people recognise, speak up, and leave their abusive situation. 

Together we can make a difference – supporting one friend at a time. 

 

– Written by Natalie Brabben for Spring ACT