Cumberland Council is reminding people that their domestic abuse related services continue, even though a recent campaign has drawn to a close.
The international ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence’ campaign concluded on 10 December.
The council used the occasion to host a conference, offer staff training and run drop-ins for people affected by domestic abuse.
Cllr Emma Williamson, Cumberland’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Domestic Abuse, said: “Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is something we take incredibly seriously - both as a council and as leaders of the Community Safety Partnership. It is a priority for us and our detailed domestic abuse strategy shows how committed we are to ending it.”
Partners in the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership came together to launch the ‘16 Days’ with a conference and solidarity walk along Whitehaven Harbour.
The event featured speakers including Cllr Williamson; Colin Cox (Chair of the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership and Cumberland Council's Director of Public Health and Communities); Det Insp Mike Taylor; MP Josh MacAlister and Cumberland Council's domestic abuse lead officer, Mary-Claire Telford.
Cllr Williamson added: “I'd like to thank all the organisations who attended the event, giving invaluable insights into their approach around domestic abuse, and offering support to visiting members of the public. We also very much appreciate those affected by these issues who were able to join us.
"We ran one-to-one sessions in Whitehaven and Workington over the course of the 16 days, for anyone needing support.
“And members of the Community Safety Partnership drew together to offer a wide range of training opportunities making staff more aware of all the nuances of abuse, how it might present itself and what to do when that happens.
“But whilst this campaign has shone a spotlight on our abuse-related services, we continue to offer them all year round. And with our partners, we won’t rest until no-one in our communities is suffering abuse.”
The '16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence' launch event, and subsequent learning sessions, were supported by:
Cockermouth Soroptimists, Workington Derwent Inner Wheel, Cumbria Women’s Institute, St Josephs Catholic High School, Carlisle College, The Freedom Project, Victim Support, The Bridgeway, Healthwatch Cumberland, Cumberland Children's Safety Partnership, Cumbria Gateway, Cumbria Police and other national organisations.
‘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
Cumberland Community Safety Partnership’s Domestic Abuse Strategy can be found here: https://shorturl.at/AS8LN
A list of useful numbers for abuse-related support can be found here - Domestic Abuse | Cumberland Community Safety Partnership (CSP)