Victoria Derbyshire: actions louder than words
byadmin•Apr 12th '20•Herstory Maker of the Month
“I left it on my skin deliberately in case it could help any of the millions watching.”
Why Victoria Derbyshire?
Victoria’s tweet highlighted why this number was so important – and how it could help save lives.
Because on 6th April 2020, the BBC journalist appeared live on air on to host the BBC News, with the number of the National Domestic Abuse hotline written on the back of her hand in clear black pen.
She did so as a means to share the hotline number yet further, after realising she would be reporting on the huge 25% surge in calls for help by domestic abuse survivors, trapped with their abusers amidst coronavirus isolation rules.
Speaking about her silent method of helping those who might need a subtle signal, Victoria said: ‘I’d written the number on my hand to tweet a photo of it at 7am…and left it on my skin deliberately in case it could help any of the millions watching.’ Her tweet highlighted that ‘During the lockdown there’s…been a daily rise in people going on the helpline website & last wk that figure was up by 150%. The helpline is open 24/7.’
Why Victoria’s actions matter
It’s one thing to say you care about women’s rights and safety, and an entirely another to demonstrate that care actively and consistently.
Victoria’s show tackled subjects and stories few are able or willing to investigate, including domestic violence.
As a BAFTA-award winning journalist, Victoria has never shied away from tackling the subjects of abuse, inequalities and discrimination. From exploring The Abusers Tale on BBC Radio 5, to highlighting sexual abuse suffered by footballers on her BBC2 show, Victoria Derbyshire, which was recently sadly cancelled, she has striven to give a voice and platform to matters often ignored by our mainstream media outlets.
The penning of a national helpline on her hand, as quiet an action as it was, reminded the global audience watching her of the gravity of what survivors of violence and abuse are currently facing, and the lifelines open to them. We know all too well that a little knowledge can go a long way to helping save lives – and Victoria’s instant messaging, will undoubtedly have done just that.
In her own words:
“Until equality of the sexes in every area of our lives has been achieved, we need feminists and feminism.”