It has been a little over two weeks since we held our first conference at Aurora – Joining Forces Against VAWG, Independent but Alongside. Having worked in the violence against women sector for over three decades I recognise that once a big job is ‘done’, I have a temptation just to move onto the next most stressful event. I think when you have worked in crisis for a long time the most comfortable space is always in the highest stress environments. But I promised myself I would reflect on the work we collectively did together over those two days in Portsmouth – after all the purpose of the conference wasn’t just a one and done, and I promise it wasn’t just an excuse for good food  – my goodness that food 😉…if anyone can re-create those little cake balls come see me immediately – actually don’t, that would be very bad for my menopausal waistline…

Anyway…I digress.

The first day felt like a whirlwind to begin with, on a personal level it was a bit of a gate fever moment, I just wanted to get started and get on with it. But having arrived at the conference an hour and a half prior to the conference kicking off I had to wait…patience has never been my strongest attribute.

We had long chats internally about how were going to pitch the conference to make it as interesting and accessible to all the different types of professionals in attendance. Given this was the first UK conference exploring the landscape of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Armed Forces communities it was the first time we had has one room where people from MOD, Armed Forces, VAWG sector, academics, and victims, were all together. We could have got it very wrong, and we knew that – in the end we settled with just being ourselves – and once we did get started, I recognised quite quickly the atmosphere and culture of the conference was going to be quite unique.

Of course, I’d like to say that was down to us at Aurora, but that would be an outrageous exercise in misinformation. On reflection I think the success of the atmosphere created was for one simple reason – everyone wanted to be there – and let’s be honest we’ve all been to conferences we don’t want to go to. Of course, if I were to brag further I’d say everyone wanted to be there because of Aurora (you see the theme here), but that would be a lie too…everyone wanted to be there because they all want to make a difference in this space, and that is really something quite special – we need harness that energy and use it as a catalyst to propel us forward.  

It’s really important to recognise we don’t all agree, our agendas and cultures in our respective work environments are often very different – some of us challenge the state and the systems within it, and some of us work for the state and create those systems – but that is exactly what we want. We want to have respectful, inspiring, and creative dialogues where we get to the heart of the issues that we care most about and in that vein all we care about at Aurora is getting it right for victims and survivors.

At the conference, that is what everyone cared about – delegates and speakers alike.

I have lost count of the number of contacts I have made and conversations I have had following the conference – and we are proud to have been part of such a wonderful few days. In the following months we are aiming to continue the conversations and there will be an opportunity to involve yourselves in those discussions, please keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

Ultimately, in the end it wasn’t ‘our’ conference, we merely hosted it, and because of the energy created by everyone who attended, it took on a life of its own. Aurora were simply the conduit – and that is the success we wanted – to create a movement for change, a commitment to collaboration, and a lasting legacy for victims and survivors in Armed Forces Communities.  

Dr Shonagh Dillon LLB, DCrimJ

CEO – Aurora New Dawn

If you are interested in fundraising for us, you can link to our JustGiving account here

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Joining Forces Against VAWG – Independent But Alongside

🚨 HISTORY IN THE MAKING! 🚨

For the FIRST TIME EVER in the UK, we’re bringing together military leaders, experts, and frontline professionals to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) within the Armed Forces and beyond.

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📅 Date(s): Thursday 2 October 2025, starting at 09:00 – Friday 3rd October, ending at 12:30.
📍 Venue: Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, Southampton Road, PO6 4SH, UK

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Why Attend?

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a deeply pressing issue, especially within the Armed Forces and their communities. Joining Forces Against VAWG, organized by Aurora New Dawn, brings together frontline professionals, survivors, advocates, and allies to stand strong together while maintaining our independence.

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What to Expect

• Expert Keynotes & cutting-edge insights on VAWG
• Interactive workshops & panel discussions
• Networking with military personnel, NGOs, social services, and allies
• Special sessions on engaging allies and fostering community resilience

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Tickets & Savings

• General Admission: £175 (2-day event)
• Group Savings: Use code GROUP25 for 25% off when booking 4+ tickets
• Early Bird Saving: Use code EARLYBIRD25 for £25 off your ticket (Offer ends 12th September)

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Who Should Attend?

This conference is designed for anyone committed to ending VAWG: Military and civilian service providers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates.

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About the Organiser

Aurora New Dawn is a feminist-led UK charity founded in 2011. They offer vital support to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and hidden violence.

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Final Call

Take a stand with us. Share best practices, build impactful alliances, and leave empowered to act together but with our agency intact.

🔗 Book your ticket today

UPDATE: We raised just over £7K for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. Aurora would like to extend our thanks to all who walked, donated and raised awareness on the night.

Victims of domestic abuse walk on hot coals every day in fear of aggression and violence from perpetrators. On November 28th 2014, Aurora New Dawn staff and supporters will be undertaking a challenge to walk on hot coals to raise money for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Shonagh Dillon, Chief Executive of Aurora New Dawn is taking the challenge along with several members of the team.

She said, “For the last 5 years, we’ve run the Reclaim the Night March in Portsmouth to raise awareness of violence against women in Portsmouth and the surrounding area. This year we wanted to do something different.

“We decided to undertake the Hot Coals challenge to highlight the daily experience of victims of domestic violence and their families, who walk on hot coals every day with the threat of violence to keep themselves safe and avoid harm.

“At the same time, we’ll be raising money for the White Ribbon campaign, which brings men and women together in the struggle to end violence against women.”

The campaign urges people to take the White Ribbon pledge “never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms.”

You can sponsor Shonagh via Just Giving or share the link with your friends and spread the word.

To find out more about supporting White Ribbon and Aurora New Dawn, or about the Hot Coals challenge, email us at info@aurorand.org.uk

Approximately 200 people flocked to Portsmouth Football Club for a night of eating, drinking, dancing and merry-making – all in the fantastic cause of raising money to support victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

A range of games throughout the evening raised awareness of the complex reality of violence against women and girls (VAWG), hidden violence and gender-based violence.

A Special Auction gave rise to some incredible donations to Aurora New Dawn with guests bidding for a wide range of fantastic gifts, including an Albert Square street sign signed by the cast of Eastenders, a professional race-driving session at Silverstone, and acting lessons with Doctors actor, Matt Chambers.

Chair of the Board, Sally Jackson, Aurora patron Lauren Jarron, and Chief Executive Shonagh Dillon gave speeches throughout the evening about different aspects of Aurora’s work and its importance as part of the global fight against VAWG and the ongoing struggle for equality and gender justice.

Patron Lauren Jarron explained the increasing importance for the voluntary sector of finding pioneering partnerships with private sector organisations looking for innovative ways to improve or expand the remit for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

“There is a strong synergy between Aurora’s mission and my beliefs, which is why I am so happy to be involved their work.  I believe every individual has a right to a future.  

 

Aurora aims to “End discrimination against women through offering protection, safety, support and empowerment” and I want to empower women to realise their true potential – to have a positive impact for themselves, and for society – culturally and economically.” 

 

Chair of the Board of Aurora New Dawn, Sally Jackson, highlighted Aurora’s work in the context of the global struggle of women for equality and justice.

Chief Executive Shonagh Dillon gave the closing speech before officially opening the dancefloor for the night, with a powerful reminder of why everyone came together at the Ball:

2 women every week die as a direct result of domestic violence and abuse. Two women. Every week.

 

It’s hard to connect with when it’s a faceless statistic, isn’t it? But look around the room with me for a second. Now imagine that if all of us met again here next week, two women would be gone. The following week two women more. The week after, two women more.

 

How long would it take before there were no women left in the room?

 

How many women would need to disappear before we were all shouting about it to the world?

 

Two women disappear from the lives of their friends and loved ones every week. But instead of disappearing from this room, they are disappearing from the UK.

 

A specially commissioned poem, Aurora, was read by Writer in Residence, which you can read here.

The first ever Butterfly Ball raised an incredible £7,000 for Aurora New Dawn. This money is already being used to fund the every day organisational costs of Aurora, providing the infrastructure that supports our frontline service delivery.

In this increasingly difficult funding climate, organisational costs are becoming more of a challenge for the voluntary sector as a whole, due to the fact that grant funding is often awarded on a project-by-project basis.

This means our fundraising activities are becoming more and more important to enable the daily support services (admin, management, and finance, for example) that allow our frontline workers to support victims and survivors.

“These are difficult times for the voluntary sector as a whole, and particularly for VAWG services due to the disproportionate impact of the government’s cuts programme on women, and particularly on specialist services supporting victims and survivors,” said Shonagh.

“It’s really no exaggeration to say that we couldn’t survive without our supporters, and this has made the success of our first ever fundraising Ball particularly poignant for me, and for our frontline Advocates. We owe everyone who supported the Ball a huge ‘Thank you!'”

For one night in Portsmouth, we came, we chanted and we made the streets safe for women.

And what a night it was.

This year’s march saw over 250 women, men and children taking to the streets, carrying some of the best banners we’ve seen so far and without doubt, the best dancing. Special mention for White Ribbon volunteers Yaz and Corina, who led the march with some of the best dance moves we’ve seen in quite some time.

While we’re on the subject of credit where it’s due, massive thanks go to Batala for setting the pace of the march with their signature drumming, to all our speakers and performers and to the ever-faithful band of White Ribbon volunteers whose combined efforts make the event possible.

But of course, our biggest thanks go to everyone who attended – because it’s you that make the difference by shouting out that Pompey will not commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women and girls.

This was our fourth march, but the second year White Ribbon has celebrated local activism with its Outstanding Achievement Award. And the winner was Solent Feminist Network – a group comprised entirely of volunteers who have led on and supported some of 2011/12’s biggest campaigns against VAWG.

This year also saw a special award to our very own Chief Executive, Shonagh Dillon – in recognition of many years of activism, campaigning and hard work to make sure the voices of victims and survivors are heard.

The march closed with a fantastic pledge from the night’s compere, actor Kirsty Dillon: “Next year we want the march to be even bigger and even louder – we’re aiming for 1000 marchers to fill the Guildhall Square.”

If you’re not sure whether to be one of them, check out this video and make up your mind.

Convinced? Good. See you in 2013!

It’s that time of year again, when hundreds of Portsmouth men, women and children are taking to the streets to end domestic and sexual violence as the city gears up for its 3^rd annual Reclaim the Night march on 23^rd November, which kicks off at 7pm at the Spinnaker Tower.

This year’s march is going to be loud and proud, so get ready to shout!

We’re also asking marchers to wear something white or purple to show your solidarity with victims and survivors.

Local drumming group, Batala, will be leading the march, which will end with a rally in the Guildhall Square featuring local musicians El Morgan and Steph Arburrow.

Reclaim the Night is a symbolic march that brings together women, men and children to enable women to reclaim public space in safety and raise awareness about the high levels of violence against women in the UK and across the world.

Aurora works with victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence every day and we know the challenges they face just to come forward and seek help in the first place. Events like Reclaim the Night show on a local level that victims are not alone and there are people out there who can help.

It’s the one night a year in Portsmouth when women are guaranteed to be able to walk in safety through our streets.

Organisers say this year’s march is even more important due to funding cuts affecting local services.

In February 2011, the Safer Portsmouth Partnership launched a review of domestic abuse, stating it was “as a result of changes to funding regimes and service restructures forced by cuts to public service budgets”. In addition, local services for victims and survivors are reporting significant funding cuts, as well as increased competition for existing funding.

What can we do about this?

Well apart from getting your shout on at the march, Aurora are developing a report for all the services working with victim and survivors in the city. It will outline an alternative approach for Portsmouth to ensure the cuts – and the increased pressure on people in a recession – do not combine to turn the clock back for victims and survivors of violence and abuse, or for women more generally, in terms of combating discrimination and providing opportunity.

It’s never been more important to show our support as a city for victims and survivors of violence.

According to research commissioned by the Safer Portsmouth Partnership, domestic violence is the largest common motivator for violent crimes across Portsmouth, but only a low number of incidents currently result in a court case. In addition, levels of sexual violence in Portsmouth have risen since 2010/11.

Portsmouth has a great track record for supporting victim and survivors. Whilst it’s a very real challenge to the sector to make sure these vital services survive in the current economy, the reality is that we simply can’t allow the last ten years of progress to be reversed.

Our CEO, Shonagh says: “This year it’s even more important that local people take to the streets and Reclaim the Night – we need to shout out our support for victims and survivors and say a loud ‘No’ to perpetrators and the social attitudes and structures that help to create and protect them.”

Are you with us Pompey? We’re coming to take back the streets!

After our highly impressive results when trying our hand at wheelchair basketball earlier this year, we  were keen to build on our legacy of extreme sports.

So off to the dragonboat races went The Perpinators – a team of men, women and children raising money for Aurora New Dawn

Let’s be clear from the start that dragonboat racing takes a lot of co-ordination, stamina and enthusiam.

Suffice to say that The Perpinators overflowed with stamina and enthusiasm…

…but the coordination was another matter.

You wouldn’t think that coordinating a team of about 16 rowers would be that hard, would you?

We didn’t.

Turns out we were all wrong – it really is that hard.

We didn’t make it through to the finals, but we certainly didn’t come last – unlike our attempt at wheelchair basketball.

We’re taking this as an enormous step forward.

Next stop, the Great South Run, where some of the Aurora team will be raising money for us.

Don’t forget, if you’re interested in taking part in any of Aurora’s events, drop us in line on 023 9247 9254 or email us at info@aurorand.org.uk

Giving up their time for an incredibly good cause, Hampshire firefighters and local students joined Aurora staff, trustees and supporters in a wheelchair basketball tournament that none would forget.

With runners, badminton players and yoga enthusiasts on our team, the Aurora New Dawn are no strangers to sports.

Yet we were completely unprepared for this.

In case you didn’t know, folks, wheelchair basketball is hard.

We mean, it’s really hard.

It’s hard to roll and hold the ball at the same time, which meant some of us (Chief Exec, we’re talking to you) clamped the ball under our chins to leave our hands free to roll the wheels.

It’s hard to shoot the ball into the basket from a sitting position, particularly if you’re already vertically Coinstar point challenged (Writer in Residence, we’re talking to you).

And it’s particularly hard to move your wheelchair anywhere when someone is holding on to the back of it (Hampshire Fire & Rescue, we’re talking to you).

Despite this, we fought through our inexperience in the sport with courage and determination, and we won!

OK, we’re lying, we didn’t win. Actually, we came last, but wait til next time. We’ll be ready.

A massive, massive thank you to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for organising the tournament and for kindly donating the proceeds to Aurora New Dawn, and a huge thank you to everyone who took part on the day – we had an amazing time.

UPDATE: And we even made The News!