White ribbon campaign to highlight domestic abuse
AWARENESS of how to report domestic abuse is being highlighted to residents across Hinckley and Bosworth this month.
The borough council and local police have a number of initiatives running across 16 days of action which start on Thursday 25 November, White Ribbon Day, an annual event that marks the United Nation’s International Day for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
The international White Ribbon Campaign is a movement that calls on everyone to come together and say ‘no’ to violence against women and girls. Domestic abuse can take many forms including physical, coercive control, psychological abuse and financial abuse.
This year the partnership will be raising awareness of domestic abuse across the area including with residents, businesses, schools, young people as well as through the voluntary sector. The focus will be on ensuring that anyone affected by domestic abuse knows how to access support as well as promoting healthy relationships amongst young people.
Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety at the Borough Council said: “It is important we stand together against all forms of domestic abuse whether it be targeted at a man or woman, and that we ensure that anyone experiencing domestic abuse knows how to access help and feels able to approach services for support. We also want to ensure that young people in our area know what healthy relationships should look like so that
they can have healthy and safe relationships.
“We as a council, continue to provide support for adult victims of domestic abuse via our dedicated outreach service and also provide therapeutic support for children who have been affected by domestic abuse in our borough.”
Throughout the 16 days of action the partnership will also be working closely with licensees to promote support services within pubs and restaurants and to continue to promote the ‘Ask For Angela’ Scheme which gives anyone who feels unsafe on a night out the opportunity to alert staff discretely and for staff to provide appropriate support to help the individual stay safe.
Local Policing Commander Inspector Jamie Osborne said: “I am delighted to work alongside our partners on this important campaign.
“We will continue to tackle domestic abuse by taking positive action against the perpetrators. We will also be working with our partners during the campaign to share safety awareness during the night time economy period.
“All victims of domestic abuse should have access to the support they need which is why the partnership works hard throughout the year to ensure that all victims, both female and male, get the help and support they need.”
For more information on Ask for Angela and the establishments signed up to the scheme or about support available for female and male victims of domestic abuse visit www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk