On 17 September 2022, we staged our first protest

After a string of sexual assaults in Stroud, Gloucestershire, author and journalist, Nikki Owen, wrote a column highlighting how women are unable to walk or run as freely as men. She shared the article with trainee solicitor and founder of FemLegal, Sydney McAllister, and together they decided to stage a protest against the rise in sexual assaults and the passive, victim-blaming reporting of these incidents in the local media.

On 17th September 2022, over 400 people marched through the streets, banging drums to demand an end to sexual violence. Volunteers gave their time to support a day filled with hope and determination.

This powerful display of solidarity officially launched This Ends Now and our Words Matter campaign. The protest also brought vital attention to the issue of sexual violence and helped establish a sustainable collaboration with Gloucestershire Constabulary and Gloucestershire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

In October 2022, we became a not-for-profit

Balancing their day jobs, Sydney and Nikki officially launched This Ends Now as a UK not-for-profit in October 2022. They applied for funding, gave media interviews, and worked to change victim blaming headlines. It was challenging but rewarding, and soon they began expanding the team.

This Ends Now is run entirely by volunteers

In February 2023, This Ends Now merged with FemLegal and expanded its team. Today, 23 dedicated volunteers contribute their time to working towards a world free from gender-based oppression.

Since our launch, we've spoken in parliament, consulted on the Victim’s Bill and in collaboration with Gloucestershire Constabulary and Gloucestershire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, created the first-ever ‘Words Matter - guidelines for reporting on male violence and intimidation against women and girls’ for external police communications in England and Wales. These reporting guidelines focus on language that prevents victim blaming and misogyny.

You can learn more about our campaign and achievements here.

We are dedicated to creating a world free from gender-based oppression

We understand that male violence against women and girls harms not only individuals but entire communities. These forms of oppression are deeply rooted in society, and we are committed to challenging and dismantling these systems.

Our mission is to prevent gender-based inequality by reframing the conversation around feminism and dismantling patriarchy. We’re committed to creating real and lasting change by engaging in policy work, developing training, and public awareness campaigns.

Our work raises awareness of how patriarchy and misogyny contribute to oppression and male violence and abuse against women and girls. We also promote intersectional feminism, addressing how different oppressions intersect, and believe real change is possible by involving men in the conversation.

Now we need your support to end patriarchy

We have a five-year plan, centered around our values of creativity, curiosity, inclusivity, feminism and accountability, to take our work to new levels and hire team members, allowing us to fast-track our groundbreaking work in prevention, education, language and fighting gender-based oppression - and we can only do this with your support.