Littlehampton candlelit vigil for victims of domestic abuse

Campaigners working to raise awareness of domestic abuse, and highlighting where victims can find help, are holding a candlelit vigil in Littlehampton on Friday (November 23).

The “Stop Domestic Abuse, Start Your Life” campaign will be launched with the vigil at Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, at 4.30pm, to remember victims of domestic abuse. The public is invited to attend.

The event has been organised by the Safer Arun Partnership, which is working with local services and charities to offer support and advice to victims of domestic abuse.

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It also aims to raise awareness that domestic abuse is not always about violence, but can also include intimidation, humiliation, and psychological, financial, emotional and sexual abuse.

Posters to highlight the campaign will be on display in bus shelters across Arun district in December, and leaflets will be widely distributed.

Groups working with the Safer Arun Partnership, including Worth Services and Worthing Women’s Aid, will be giving out information at the vigil and Arun chairman, councillor Ann Smee, will make a speech.

Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Arun cabinet member for community development, said: “The statistics around domestic abuse are frightening. Home Office figures show two people are killed every week by a former or current partner.

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“We want to reach out to victims and put them in touch with those able to help by giving advice without judging, and a support network often encompassing people who have been victims but have been courageous enough to seek help and break the cycle.”

Arun’s community safety team is working with the White Ribbon Campaign, which holds an International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women on November 25 each year. The Safer Arun Partnership points out that domestic abuse can also affect people in same-sex relationships.