Wrexham Shows Support For White Ribbon Campaign

The people of Wrexham are being encouraged to join forces this week in aid of the White Ribbon campaign.

Approximately 1 in 4 women in the UK will experience some level of domestic violence in their lifetime. Launched in the UK in 1998, the White Ribbon campaign raises awareness and offers support to women who have experienced, or who are suffering from domestic violence. The white ribbon is worn as a symbol of hope for a world where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence.

This year’s campaign signifies a special birthday for Wrexham’s Women’s Aid, who is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. The service provides a drop in service throughout the which is available without any prior appointment. Speaking about the White Ribbon events and Wrexham’s Women’s Aid, Strategy and Finance coordinator Alison Hamlington said “It’s important to make sure people in the community know we’re here and what we do.”

To commemorate the occasion, the staff at Women Aid started their week of events on Monday with a drop in session at their offices on Temple Row. The informal event featured the cutting of a cake, the chance to have a chat with the staff and also readings from their collection of stories from service users. Entitled ’20 Stories, 20 Lives’, the compilation of poems and stories featured the collection are based on the accounts that users of Women’s Aid have experienced.

Community Safety Officer for Wrexham County Borough Council, Rhian Jones said “It can take seven years for a person to get the courage to speak out about domestic abuse. It’s critically important to raise awareness.”

On the 28th and 29th of November, Women’s Aid will be visiting Yale College to set them a very interesting challenge. Following last year’s great success, the staff at Women’s Aid will be asking the college’s art students to design the new posters for the charity. Held in an ‘Apprentice’ style competition, the art students will have the opportunity to raise awareness of domestic abuse and also of the resources Women’s Aid provide.

The weeklong events in Wrexham will end on the 30th of November, when Women’s Aid will be assembling on Llwyn Isaf to issue white ribbons and pledge cards to people. Women’s Aid will also be joined by Wrexham’s Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths.

From January 2013 the drop in service at Women’s Aid will be twice a week.
Women’s Aid can be found at 6 Temple Row, Wrexham.

For further information on the services provided, or on donations on contributions then visit https://www.wrexhamwomensaid.org.uk/. Or phone 01978 310 203.