Worcester event highlights effort to end abuse of women (From Worcester News)

TV star Bellingham tells Worcester women how she suffered domestic abuse

11:00pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

ACTRESS and TV presenter Lynda Bellingham helped to bring home the importance of tackling domestic abuse at a special seminar.

The event, organised by West Mercia Women’s Aid with West Mercia Police and other partner organisations, was held in a bid to make businesses more aware of the impact of domestic violence on the business community and the economy.

Ms Bellingham – the Oxo mum and star of Loose Women and herself a victim of domestic violence – was guest speaker at the seminar.

She spoke of her own experiences, the importance of businesses and employers supporting their staff and the business community in raising awareness of domestic abuse, and the need for a joined up approach in order to enable change. She also offered her support to forthcoming events in Worcester in support of an international campaign to end violence against women.

Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse is backing 16 Days of Action.

The forum’s strategic co-ordinator Martin Lakeman said: “It is an important event as it helps to highlight what can be done to tackle violence against women at a local level, supported by events and activities throughout the world.”

The campaign runs from November 25 until December 10 and will include an official launch by members of the military and emergency services outside the Guildhall on Monday, November 26.

Worcester Community Safety Partnership will hand out white ribbons – the symbol of the fight against domestic abuse – at a candlelit vigil outside the guildhall on November 29, between 4.30pm and 6pm.

On November 30, men will be invited to take part in These Heels are Made for Walking and totter a mile through Redditch town centre in women’s shoes. Throughout the campaign individuals, schools and other organisations can put handprints on a canvas at locations around Worcester-shire to make up a mural entitled These Hands are not for Hurting.

For more information, call Mr Lakeman on 01905 822357. To speak in confidence about domestic abuse, call 0800 9803331.