16 DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE

Living Without Abuse (LWA), a local domestic abuse support charity, is managing a coordinated campaign to raise awareness during the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse, running from 25 November – 10 December inclusive.

As part of this campaign LWA has already participated in a White Ribbon Day event at Loughborough University and an open invitation event for professionals organized by Hinckley and Bosworth Council.

The charity if supporting the Expression of Freedom exhibition in Highcross Leicester and has organized an exhibition of domestic abuse survivor art, poetry and prose now showing at Charnwood Arts gallery in Loughborough. Lorna Veasey, one of the artists exhibiting at Charnwood Arts was interviewed by ITV Central this week to discuss her experience and how art has helped her recovery from significant trauma.

The public can meet with LWA staff, including staff from Project 360 (a project funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner to support high risk victims who have multiple call outs to the police) and the Echo Project funded by Safe Lives which is capturing the voice of survivors as part of a programme to make these voices heard and help formulate government policy on the issue, on December 10 in Leicester City Centre – as the charity are joining the Leicester Safety Community Partnership Bus at Leicester City Clock Tower.

Look out for posts on social media during the 16 Days for ’16 Days/16 Stories’ where we are highlighting survivor stories plus partnering with other organisations across the city and county to highlight services available to abuse victims including Panahghar and Quetzal.

Emily Corrigan, Head of Fundraising: ‘Each year our 16 Days campaign grows in strength and reach and we are hoping to raise even more awareness across the county. It’s important to start the conversation about abuse and to let people know that help and support is available. The artwork on display at Charnwood Arts gallery and in Highcross is truly inspirational – I hope that many people will take the opportunity to have a look and gain greater insight and understanding of this issue which touches many in our local community.’