Flag raising outside Peterborough Town Hall to support domestic abuse victims

The annual event aims to raise awareness and help end violence against women and girls. This year, Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Councils will join other organisations to raise a white flag which represents their commitment to this.

Due to lockdown rules, only one councillor from each authority will be present for the flag raising. For Cambridgeshire, Cllr Mac McGuire, chairman of the county council, will be raising the flag at Shire Hall. In Peterborough, Cllr John Holdich, leader of the city council, will be raising the flag at Peterborough Town Hall.

Cllr Holdich said: “We are committed to supporting all victims of domestic abuse and we are proud to be one of the many organisations across the country to stand up and speak out against violence towards women and girls.

“We also recognise that both men and boys can also be victims of domestic abuse. We understand that the reporting of domestic abuse has risen this year due to Covid-19 and I want everybody to know that support is available for all victims.”

Cllr McGuire added: “We are pleased to be taking part in the White Ribbon Day event and the county council continues to work with its partners to help and support victims of domestic abuse. I would urge anyone experience domestic abuse to access support - please do not suffer in silence.”

Specialist domestic abuse services remain open to support all victims of domestic abuse during the lockdown. Contact details for local services and national services, such as the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and the Men’s Advice line, can be found on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence partnership website at www.cambsdasv.org.uk.

Cambridgeshire County Council is White Ribbon accredited and Peterborough City Council is currently in the process of working to become accredited.

For more information on White Ribbon Day, visit: https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/day.