Cllr Alex Phillips

On the 10th anniversary of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Greens in Brighton & Hove have signed up to a new domestic violence campaign: ‘Speak Out Against Domestic Violence.’
 
The campaign urges people to Speak Out against domestic violence through petitioning the Government to put an end to the postcode lottery of domestic violence services.
 
Green Cllrs Ben Duncan and Alex Phillips also attended the launch of a new Rape Crisis service provided by local organisation Survivors Network.
 
Ben said:
“Here in Brighton & Hove, the Survivors Network has today launched its new rape crisis facilities. This will see its services extended to support not only the victims of sexual abuse, but also victims of rape and sexual violence.
 
“However, while it’s a welcome addition, the new service won’t be available 24 hrs a day.
 
“This is why it’s so important Green efforts to see  Brighton & Hove  City Council investigate the level of support available to rape victims in the city were successful. Understanding where there are gaps in provision is the first step in making sure anyone who has experienced rape has access to locally based, readily available and qualified support.”
 
Alex, who last month raised some £235 in a sponsored run for Rise, a local  organisation providing support for people suffering domestic abuse, added:
 
"We urgently need to do mor e to help women experiencing domestic violence. 10 years on from the first International Day against Violence against Women, and almost half of women in  England & Wales can expect to experience domestic violence, sexual assault  or stalking in their lifetime. Up to two women a week are still being killed by their current  or former partner, while 10 more each week commit suicide as their only means of escape from abuse.
 
“And the problem doesn’t look like it’s getting better - recent research by the children's charity NSPCC found one in four girls, some as young as 13, had been slapped or hit by their boyfriends.
 
“But women and girls across the UK are forced to rely on a postcode lottery of domestic violence supp or t services, and often face a culture of disbelief and delayed responses when they do seek help. I’m proud to support the Speak Out campaign and call on the Government to ensure proper support is available for every woman who needs it.”

For more information about the campaign view:
www.avoncompany.com/women/speakout/index.html