County supports White Ribbon events

Events are taking place in Hastings and Eastbourne and both will help to highlight White Ribbon Day on Saturday 25 November 2006.

East Sussex County Council's Safer Communities Team is helping to organise and promote the events.

On Thursday 23 November at 7.30pm, the annual White Ribbon Benefit Gig will take place at the Hastings & St Leonards Angling Club, Marine Parade, Hastings. Artists will perform for free on the night to help raise money for local victims of domestic violence.

Last year over 1,300 was raised for an emergency fund for victims. Eastbourne will host its own White Ribbon event on Tuesday 28 November at Princes Park. Representatives from the County Council, Borough Council, Sussex Police and Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership will gather at 11.00am to plant white tulips and daffodils to remember all the victims of domestic violence.

Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services at the County Council, said: "During 2005/06, over 2,000 incidents of domestic violence were reported to the Police in Hastings and over 1,200 in Eastbourne. When you consider that it is estimated that over 70% of domestic violence goes unreported the issue is even more worrying.

White Ribbon Day helps to raise awareness about the issue and enables us to publicise the services available to people locally." Domestic violence can take many forms and can include physical attacks, emotional abuse, financial control, threats, isolations and intimidation.

On average a woman is assaulted 35 times - 90% of the time in front of her children - before she has the courage to call the police. Anyone affected by domestic violence can call the 24-hour domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247 run by Woman's Aid and Refuge.

Local services: CRI Domestic Abuse Service:Hastings and Rother 01424 716629Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden 01323 414224 Refuge, East Sussex Outreach ServiceEast: 01424 775691. West: 01323 511100 Sussex Police, Adult Protection TeamEast: 01424 456143. West: 01323 414147