Cumberland Council: Domestic abuse services are year-round

The council has reiterated its ongoing support following the close of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which ended on December 10.

Activities during the campaign included a dedicated conference, staff training, and drop-in sessions for those affected by domestic abuse.

Cllr Emma Williamson, Cumberland’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for domestic abuse, said: "Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is something we take incredibly seriously—both as a council and as leaders of the Community Safety Partnership.

"It is a priority for us and our detailed domestic abuse strategy shows how committed we are to ending it."

To launch the 16 Days campaign, Cumberland Community Safety Partnership held a conference and a solidarity walk along Whitehaven Harbour.

Speakers included Cllr Williamson, Colin Cox (chair of the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership and Cumberland Council's director of public health and communities), Det Insp Mike Taylor, MP Josh MacAlister, and Mary-Claire Telford, the council's domestic abuse lead officer.

Cllr Williamson said: "I’d like to thank all the organisations who attended the event, giving invaluable insights into their approach around domestic abuse, and offering support to visiting members of the public.

"We also very much appreciate those affected by these issues who were able to join us.

"We ran one-to-one sessions in Whitehaven and Workington over the course of the 16 days, for anyone needing support.

"And members of the Community Safety Partnership drew together to offer a wide range of training opportunities, making staff more aware of all the nuances of abuse, how it might present itself, and what to do when that happens.

"But whilst this campaign has shone a spotlight on our abuse-related services, we continue to offer them all year round.

"And with our partners, we won’t rest until no one in our communities is suffering abuse."

The '16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence' launch event, and subsequent learning sessions, were supported by Cockermouth Soroptimists, Workington Derwent Inner Wheel, Cumbria Women’s Institute, St Josephs Catholic High School, and Carlisle College.

Other supporters included The Freedom Project, Victim Support, The Bridgeway, Healthwatch Cumberland, Cumberland Children's Safety Partnership, Cumbria Gateway, Cumbria Police, and other national organisations.

‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ is an international campaign founded by UN Women.

This year it ran from November 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women—to December 10, Human Rights Day.