CUMBERLAND Council is marking an annual campaign against domestic violence with a range of events.
The international ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ will be launched with a conference at The Beacon Portal in Whitehaven on Tuesday, November 25.
Speakers from across the field will attend, and the event will include a ‘walk of solidarity’ along the harbour.
Cllr Emma Williamson, Deputy Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Domestic Abuse, said: “I am so proud to be one of the many standing against gender-based violence during this campaign.
“It is a chance to raise awareness and show people all the support that we, and our partners, can offer to those affected. It’s also an opportunity to say, unequivocally, that we will not tolerate abuse in our communities. We will continue to strive to eradicate it, and to support and empower survivors in every way.”
The event will also include a chance for the public to drop in at the Beacon Portal between 2.30pm and 4pm. There will be specialists from numerous support organisations, and private spaces will be available for confidential discussions.
The solidarity walk will start at The Family Hub on the Harbour, Swingpump Lane, at 4.20pm. It will end a short distance away at the Beacon Museum. Participants are encourage to wear the campaign colour, orange, and the Beacon Museum will be lit up in orange at 4.30pm.
The conference afterwards will feature speakers including Cllr Williamson; Colin Cox (Chair of the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership and Cumberland Council's Director of Public Health and Communities); MP Josh MacAlister and other representatives from the police and council.
As well as the conference, there will be drop-in sessions in Whitehaven and Workington over the 16 days. These are for anyone affected in any way by domestic or gender-based abuse. Please see the date, time and venue details at the foot of this press release.
Cumberland’s Community Safety Partnership, chaired by the council, has also arranged several training sessions for staff. The sessions will be delivered by various partner organisations, including the police and specialist agencies. These will be available to staff from the whole partnership, and will cover a diverse range of subjects including abuse in later life, forced marriage, technology-facilitated abuse, coercive control and addressing abuse risks for disabled young adults.
‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ is an international campaign founded by UN Women. This year it runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. It serves as an international organising strategy for individuals and organisations to advocate for the prevention and elimination of all forms of gender-based violence. Find out more: 16 days of Activism yearly theme
Drop-in sessions for one-to-one support during the campaign:
- Wednesday, 26 November, 9.30 - 11.30am, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
- Wednesday, 26 November, 9.30am - 11:30am, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Thursday, 27 November, 1pm - 3pm, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
- Thursday, 27 November, 1pm - 3pm, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Friday, 28 November, 9.30 - 11.30am, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
- Friday, 28 November, 9.30 - 11.30am, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Monday, 1 December, 1pm - 3pm, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
- Wednesday, 3 December, 1pm - 3pm, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Thursday, 4 December, 9.30 – 11.30am, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Friday, 5 December, 9.30 – 11.30am, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
- Friday 5 December, 9.30 – 11.30am, Whitehaven Library (Room 2)
- Wednesday, 10 December, 9.30 – 11.30am, Workington Library (Derwent Room)
For media enquiries, email [email protected]