The StoP groups in Steilshoop worked together to produce a poster in which activists and supporters “showed their faces”. Motto: We are here to StoP Domestic Violence. Women from a StoP group in another neighbourhood created a poster with their own beautifully designed personal messages, such as Article 3 of the German Constitution: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. 

The activists visited businesses, talking to shop owners, pharmacists, doctors and bank employees, so that the posters hung in many shop windows for weeks and the information was distributed at the same time. The poster led to spontaneous conversations and enquiries in Steilshoop: “Isn't that you on the poster in the shopping centre? What is that, StoP?” More and more informal requests for help began with “You're at StoP...”. 

There were also several articles in the local print media, with StoP activist and actions appearing on the front page of the local newspaper several times. Invitations to take part in radio and television programmes were seen not only as publicity but also as recognition and empowerment for the residents involved. 

The StoP activists also were very interested in the work of women's shelters, access routes and services. They then organised a public “What happens when” information event in Steilshoop, inviting staff from the women's refuge, the local police station and a helpline to speak, which attracted many residents. 

More action: StoP activists accompany neighbours to women's shelters, create local radio programmes on the subject, they report that neighbours are now approaching them, asking for leaflets to pass on, they form a kind of early alert system to protect a victim from a stalker, they use coffee meetings at the bakery or “Tupperware evenings” are to pass on information and give informal advice. StoP group members ring the doorbell when they hear loud arguments or screams – officially to borrow a cell phone cable, for example, but indirectly to interrupt the violence and check on the situation. 

Activists in the local StoP projects keep coming up with new things and activities, such as “neighbourhood monologues” accompanied by a painting performance, handing out flowers in the shopping centre and using it as an opportunity to talk, writing cookbooks and inviting neighbours to cook and eat together, also addressing the issue. 

The StoP community group enjoyed designing postcards, T-shirts, pens, bags, mugs, emergency cards, cleaning cloths for glasses (so that violence is “clearly visible”), lunch boxes, umbrellas, producing an educational film and leaflets in several languages. One of the StoP activists, who works as a cleaner and had the StoP sticker on her materials trolley, was then approached by a colleague. After her explanation, everyone in the team wanted a sticker and so StoP spread to the workplace. Information stands at neighbourhood festivals provided information through quizzes and raffles. There were always neighbours who did not want to join the group, but took flyers from the stand pass on others. StoP was also present at the Christmas bazaar and the end of Ramadan celebrations. In this way, we achieved our aim of integrating the issue into traditional neighbourhood activities and creating easy accessible opportunities for discussion. 

Another important aspect was the presentation of an exhibition, “Heartbeat”, created by staff and residents of a women's shelter, which was shown for two weeks in the school centre and later in the shopping centre. It gave a lot to talk about. The extent and significance of partner violence was well conveyed through the vividness and 'tangibility' of the exhibits. A novelty in the history of the exhibition was that it was not exclusively accompanied by professional social workers, but that StoP activists from the neighbourhood were available to answer questions about the exhibition during the afternoon opening hours and became knowledgeable contacts for their neighbours. This was also an element of empowerment.