Published on:
19
November 2014
Violence against women is back on the agenda as the annual 16 Days of Action campaign gets underway.
Domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, stalking, forced marriage and human trafficking are all issues that affect people living in the local area and the Council has once again joined with an array of partner organisations across Forth Valley to support this international campaign. The need for that support is evidenced by the 704 incidents of domestic abuse from within the Clackmannanshire area reported to Police Scotland (Forth Valley Division) in the last year.
Beginning on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), the campaign runs through to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
This year's opening event will be held in Alloa Town Hall on the morning of 25 November where local practitioners and support workers will hear from key speakers about the impact of gender based violence on black and minority ethnic communities.
Speakers include the Council Leader Les Sharp, Shakti Women's Aid and LKW Solicitors. The opening event will launch a new photo campaign that has recently taken place across Forth Valley. The photos will show a partnership approach with service providers and members of the public to raising awareness of domestic abuse by delivering a clear and consistent message that such behaviour is wrong. The campaign is supported by a range of partners including Glenochil Prison who painted and donated the message boards used in the photographs.
Councillor Sharp said: "I am proud that once again Clackmannanshire Council is supporting a number of events across Forth Valley as part of the 16 Days of Action campaign. Violence against women is totally unacceptable and a blatant violation of human rights. The council is committed to supporting women and children who experience male violence and is proud to be involved in this campaign.
"A programme of events will take place across Forth Valley to raise awareness within workplaces and the community of the various ways in which male violence can be perpetrated against females and their children. Local residents can get involved by taking part in these events, or by simply wearing the white ribbon to show their solidarity with the campaign By all working together we can we can make a real difference to the lives of people living in the Forth Valley area."
Awareness raising will also take place in Forth Valley College and in Alloa Academy a group of dedicated young people have planned a range of initiatives to inform their fellow pupils and teachers about the issues. A conference for young people will also be held in Raploch Community Campus on the morning of 9 December. The main focus of the conference will be the impact of gender based violence on black and minority ethnic communities. Finally, training on domestic abuse will be delivered to local workers in partnership with the Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSi).
Whilst most of the events taking place are aimed at local workers, members of the public can support the campaign by coming along to a coffee morning organised by Clackmannanshire Women's Aid. This will be held on Sunday 30 November between 10.30am and 12.30pm in St Mungo's R.C Church Hall, 25 Mar Street in Alloa. Entry will be £2 for adults and £1 for children for coffee/tea/juice and cakes. In addition to a range of yummy baking there will also be a raffle, tombola, book stall and a lucky dip.