Support domestic violence campaign, residents urged

The United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from Saturday 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until Sunday 10th December (Human Rights Day) and aims to highlight the impact of violence on women.

The multi-agency Safer Hartlepool Partnership, whose members include Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire brigade, is staging a drop-in event at Hartlepool Council’s Community Hub Central on Friday (November 24) from 10.30am-2pm.

The Community Hub Central

Throughout the 16-day campaign, it will also be issuing daily awareness-raising messages via Hartlepool Borough Council’s @HpoolCouncil Twitter account using the #16Days hashtag and on the authority’s Hartlepool Borough Council Information Facebook page.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “Tackling domestic abuse in all of its forms is a top priority for the partnership and we hope people will come along to Friday’s event and support our social media campaign by liking and sharing posts.

“We will be raising awareness of some quick and easy actions that people can take to try to make a difference. Some of these actions are aimed at women who may be experiencing domestic abuse so please share them as widely as you can.

“Remember that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives so there is a chance that someone you know could be helped by you sharing this information.”

The event at the Community Hub Central on Friday is free to attend and all are welcome. The local domestic abuse charity Harbour will be present and there will be a range of other information available, including victim support and crime prevention advice.