On November 26 2003 Hastings held its first White Ribbon Awareness Day in the Stables Theatre to remember victims of domestic violence and celebrate the achievements of its survivors.
The Home Office's Louise Day opened the event which was attended by over 200 people. The W@rn Theatre group performed a moving play about a woman in a violent relationship while four pupils from a local school offered their own touching and troubling take on the subject.
In Hastings over 100 new cases of domestic violence are reported each month. One in five of these has a male victim. After the play, the Hastings Violent Crime Booklet was launched which links with the Hastings "Bar Watch" scheme and the new award-winning Domestic Violence Service at the Conquest Hospital.
Councillor Trevor Webb, portfolio holder responsible for Community Safety, said:
"This was an extraordinarily moving event that gave everybody an insight into the terrible suffering that domestic violence creates. I hope events like this and publications like the violent crime booklet will encourage victims to come forward. As we've been saying, there is help and there is hope."
The event was organised by the Hastings White Ribbon Group which also produces a quarterly newsletter. They're already working on the 2004 White Ribbon Awareness Day and if you'd like to be part of it please contact East Sussex County Council Domestic Violence Co-ordinator on 01323 466527.
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This page last updated: 22/04/2004