Wakefield Council to deliver programme of activities in support of 16 Days of Action campaign
Wakefield Council is joining forces with local partners to deliver a programme of events and activities in support of the annual 16 Days of Action and White Ribbon campaigns.
16 Days of Action is an annual international campaign, aimed at raising awareness of and preventing domestic abuse and violence against women.
It begins today (November 25), the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day.
Coun Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Champion, said: “In the last year alone, 2.3 million women and girls in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse. That’s a shocking statistic.
“We all have a role to play in creating safer communities and supporting those affected.”
The 16 Days of Action programme includes a series of activities and training events covering topics such as stalking and online abuse.
Some sessions are available for practitioners in the Wakefield district who work with or encounter those experiencing domestic abuse or those abusing and harming others.
Others are designed specifically for employees of the Council, the NHS and the Police. Additionally, Well Women Wakefield, in conjunction with the Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Service, is running a drop-in information session for women between 10am and 12pm on December 3.
Coun Daniel Wilton, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said: “Raising awareness of the different types of abuse, their causes and consequences is essential.
"We want to empower people to recognise abuse, speak out, support victims and help break the cycle for future generations.
"“That’s why the Community Safety Partnership is delivering a programme of activities to equip people with the tools to do that”.
A key event during the 16 Days of Action is Wakefield’s Reclaim the Night march - taking place from Wakefield Exchange on Thursday, November 27, from 6pm.
This will be preceded by a free banner-making drop-in workshop at 2.30pm in Wakefield library.
From 5pm, local providers, including the Community Safety Partnership, will be hosting stalls at Wakefield Exchange.
Both women and men are encouraged to take part.
For help, advice and more information about domestic abuse visit: Domestic abuse - Wakefield Council.