Domestic abuse campaign to be launched

Hartlepool Borough Council is to work closely with charity Harbour – its commissioned domestic abuse service provider - to run a local 16 Days of Activism initiative.

Daily messages are to be posted on social media from Friday November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until Saturday December 10th (Human Rights Day) to highlight different aspects of domestic abuse.

Posts will be going out via the Council’s @HpoolCouncil Twitter account and its /HpoolCouncil Facebook page.

People are being urged to show their support by liking and sharing posts using the hashtag #16DaysOfActivism.

The local initiative is part of the UN’s global16 Days of Activism campaign which seeks an end to abuse against women and girls.

Its launch will also coincide with White Ribbon Day (November 25th) run by White Ribbon, the UK’s leading charity engaging with men and boys to tackle abuse.

Olivia Highley, the Council’s Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator, said: “Our support for the 16 Days of Activism initiative reflects our on-going commitment to tackle domestic abuse in its many forms in Hartlepool.

“We aim to build on work already carried out which has been and continues to be shaped by the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021-2025 developed by the Hartlepool Domestic Abuse Local Strategic Partnership whose members include the Council, Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust,Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, Harbour and other partner agencies.

“By supporting the social media campaign, people can help us to get the message out that there is help available if they, or someone they know, is experiencing domestic abuse.”

Further information about domestic abuse is available at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/domesticabuse