Get involved for 16 Days of Action against Domestic Abuse

Cotswold District Council is working in partnership with Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) and Gloucestershire Police this month for the International 16 days of action against gender-based violence.

Throughout the 16 Days of Action campaign, iconic buildings throughout the district will light up purple as a sign of support including; St John Baptist Church Cirencester, Tetbury Market Hall and Redesdale Hall in Moreton on Marsh.

From Monday 25th November (International day for the elimination of violence against women) until Tuesday 10th December (Human rights day), the council will be working across the district to raise awareness of domestic abuse, particularly in rural communities.

The Cotswold Community Safety Partnership is holding a number of public awareness events across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds to engage with the community and encourage the public to stand up against domestic abuse and promote healthy relationships.

An estimated 1.9 million adults aged 16 to 59 experience domestic abuse each year. Between March 2018 and March 2019, there were 751 domestic abuse referrals to GDASS for the Cotswolds district and 7017 referrals across Gloucestershire. In most rural areas, abuse can last 25 per cent longer due to isolation and rural victims are half as likely as urban victims to report their abuse.

Jeff Neathway, Safer Communities Project Officer for Cotswold District Council, said: “To demonstrate our commitment to tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, the council is working closely with groups and organisations that provide support to victims of domestic abuse and give rural communities a voice.

“As well as engaging with our residents throughout the 16 Days campaign, GDASS will be delivering training to staff from the council and local partner organisations to become domestic abuse champions to improve their knowledge of how to spot the signs of abuse and help to support and guide disclosing domestic abuse.

“We would encourage all residents and local businesses to engage with us to help educate and inform the community about domestic abuse and to support family, friends or community members.”

Cotswold District Council is holding a Domestic Abuse Champions training session for staff and local partner organisations on Wednesday 27th November. The training is being provided by experts at GDASS and will be opened up to local business, parish and town council as well as residents in the future.

16 Days of Action: What’s on in the Cotswolds?

Monday 2 December – Moreton Community Engagement Day:

• GDASS, Cotswold District Council Leisure & Communities team along with the Gloucestershire Constabulary Community Engagement vehicle will be in High Street, Moreton in Marsh between 9am - 3pm promoting how communities can identify and support family and friends suffering domestic abuse or sexual violence.

3rd December 2019 – Cirencester Community Engagement Day:

• GDASS, Cotswold District Council Leisure & Communities team along with the Gloucestershire Constabulary Community Engagement vehicle will be in Brewery Court Cirencester between 9am - 3pm promoting how communities can identify and support family and friends suffering domestic abuse or sexual violence.

The council is encouraging residents, visitors and businesses to engage with the 16 Days of action campaign to provide the Cotswolds residents with a voice and the necessary tools to identify victims and provide the correct support.

For more information of domestic abuse, please visit the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/