Agencies Pledge Support for International Domestic Abuse Campaign

Partners in Wrexham have today come together to pledge their support to the International Day Against Violence Against Women.

Today marks ‘White Ribbon Day’, a global campaign which encourages both men and women to wear a white ribbon as a personal pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women.

Throughout the week Wrexham Community Safety Partnership is supporting a number of White Ribbon campaign events in Wrexham.

The theme of the campaign is “These Hands are not for Hurting”. The aim event of each event is to raise awareness about Domestic Abuse with a view to encouraging people to report incidents and get support.

Donna Dickinson Chair of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Co-ordination group said: “The White Ribbon Campaign provides an opportunity to raise awareness in Wrexham about Domestic Abuse. Domestic Abuse is serious crime that blights the lives of thousands of women. We are delighted that so many partners will be organising events and supporting the campaign throughout the week.

“As a result of our collective efforts we are confident that we will raise awareness and improve understanding about Domestic Abuse in Wrexham County Borough.”

Events will take place throughout the week at venues across Wrexham including Coleg Cambria, Queens Square, Wrexham Hospital, and Council offices. Each event will be supported by a range of partner organisations including North Wales Police, Welsh Women’s Aid, Wrexham Council, Caia park Partnership, BAWSO, Hafan Cymru and Unite Union. Police School Liaison Officers will also be running awareness raising sessions at schools across Wrexham.

The partners will reach out to those who work, live and visit Wrexham to raise awareness and provide advice and information about Domestic Abuse. Officers will be handing out ribbons at each event and those attending events at the Hospital and Council offices will also be encouraged to pledge their support to the campaign by placing a hand print on a “These Hands are not for Hurting” banner.

Cllr Hugh Jones Lead member for Communities, Partnerships and Collaboration said: “Domestic Abuse is one of Wrexham Community Safety Partnerships key priority areas.

£We know that many people do suffer in silence and campaigns like the White Ribbon campaign provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness in the County Borough about this very serious crime. A critical step forward in tackling domestic abuse and violence against women is to ‘break the silence’.”

Anyone experiencing Domestic Violence is encouraged to contact the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 8010800 for advice and guidance. In an emergency the Police should always be contacted on 999.