Westmorland and Furness Council is lighting up its buildings to support this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Council buildings across Westmorland and Furness are being lit up in orange over the next two weeks to show support for the campaign which aims to raise awareness about the impact of domestic abuse. Illuminated buildings include Kendal Town Hall and Barrow Town Hall.
The annual global campaign, which runs from Monday 25 November until Tuesday 10 December, brings together partners across Westmorland and Furness including Cumbria Police and the NHS, to highlight the breadth of services available to victims and survivors of domestic abuse through a comprehensive social media campaign.
Monday 25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and Tuesday 10 December marks Human Rights Day.
Domestic abuse includes:
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- psychological and emotional abuse
- physical or sexual abuse
- financial abuse
- harassment or stalking
- online abuse
Help and support is available for anyone affected by these issues. For more information visit the council's website.
In an emergency, if someone is at risk or a crime is in progress, always dial 999.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“Domestic abuse does not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of background, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability, or age.
“If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse and unsure of your next steps, Westmorland and Furness has services available to you that can help provide safety and reassurance for you and any dependents you may have. You are not alone.
“Along with our partners including Cumbria Police and the NHS, we are committed to helping keep all our residents safe, healthy and independent.”
Earlier this year, the Westmorland and Furness Community Safety Partnership (CSP) agreed a plan for 2024-2027 which aims to promote collective responsibility and show a strategic approach towards reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime within Westmorland and Furness.
The Partnership brings together the Council, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Police, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, the Probation Service and the Office of the Police and Fire Crime Commissioner.
Alongside other partners, the Partnership will work together to create safe and resilient communities where everyone can live, work and thrive, focusing on three priorities: Domestic Abuse, road safety, and reducing re-offending.