Domestic Violence Awareness Week: 25th - 30th November 07
20th November 2007
Don’t be a silent witness - please SPEAK OUT
Domestic Violence Awareness Week- 25th–30th November
DV Awareness Week is an opportunity for agencies across the Safer Wiltshire partnership including Wiltshire County Council, Police, Health, local District Councils, Probation, Housing, etc. as well as from the voluntary sector, who together are committed to tackling domestic violence, to continue to raise its profile amongst the public and to encourage people to come forward to seek support and advice and ‘not to be a silent witness’ – ‘please Speak Out’
Speak out is the key message for the campaign and is aimed at encouraging neighbours, work colleagues, friends and victims themselves, to report cases of domestic violence and get support
Domestic Violence Awareness Week in Wiltshire and across the South West region will commence with ‘white ribbon day’ on November 25th, which is an international campaign focussed on an end to violence against women.
Members of the press are invited to the following events taking place within Domestic Violence Awareness Week:
- Awareness Raising Walk for Practitioners- White Ribbon Day
- Monday 26th November from Court Mills, Polebarn Road, across Trowbridge Park to County Hall
- Meeting at Court Mills 11:45, walk begins at 12, arrival at County Hall 12:15.
- Networking opportunities and lunch 12:30
The awareness raising walk is an opportunity for agencies to come together to raise the profile of DV and to mark the beginning of Wiltshire’s Domestic Violence Awareness week. Practitioners and members of the media are invited to participate in the walk where balloons and a large white ribbon will enable media photographic opportunities.
- 4th Annual Wiltshire and Swindon DV Conference
- Tuesday 27th November 2007, Ark Theatre, College Road Trowbridge BA14 0ES
- Commencing at 9:30am-3:30pm
This conference is for domestic violence practitioners with invited specialist keynote speakers coming from across England and Wales to share their knowledge and expertise with Wiltshire. The conference is providing an exciting opportunity for Wiltshire practitioners to come together and share best practice. Keynote speakers and workshop facilitators are available for interview upon request.
Keynote Speakers
- Anthony Wills, Chief Executive – Standing Together Against Domestic Violence
- Trish Harrison, The WORTH Project- A health based response to domestic violence meaning DV victims have immediate response and 24 hour access to specialist support
- Stephen Long, Acting Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police
- Sue Leffers, Head of Criminal Justice, Wiltshire Police
Work shop facilitators
- Adam Rees, Dyn Project – support and advocacy for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse in Wales
- Jeanette Chipping, NSPCC Swindon
- Ruth Gort, TULIP Group- A support group for parents who are experiencing or have experienced abuse from their children from the Wirral
- Mike Bedford, SPLITZ Support Service- supporting individuals and families across Wiltshire
Domestic violence is a complex issue and presents a real issue locally across Wiltshire and can affect anyone from women, men and children. Often it is referred to as the ‘hidden crime’ that will go unreported with many victims living with domestic violence on a day-to-day basis and having to deal with the effects for many years.
During April – March ’07 there were 6,600 DV incidents reported to the Wiltshire police
For help and advice on DV issues contact:
- The National 24hr DV helpline: 0808 200 0247
- The Men’s Advice Line and Enquiries: (MALE) 0808 801 0327
- Or log on to: www.speakoutwiltshire.com.
- In an emergency always call 999.
For further information and media interview and photographic opportunities, please contact:
The Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board
01225 781 216