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Kingston Council pledge to say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault
The partnership between Kingston Council and UK SAYS NO MORE was officially launched at the annual Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Partnership conference in the borough’s prestigious Guildhall on Wednesday 29th November.
The UK SAYS NO MORE campaign, facilitated by London charity Hestia, is thrilled to announce that Kingston Council has joined us an official partner. The council authority join a growing network of non-profit, government and corporate organisations all pledging to help put a stop to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Kingston Borough Council is the council organisation for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in South-West London, covering New Malden, Surbiton, Norbiton and Kingston itself. Located on the banks of the Thames and a stone’s throw away from Hampton Court Palace, it’s not hard to see why the borough has achieved its acclaimed royal status – and is one of only four boroughs in England and Wales to be titled as such.
The timing of the partnership is also of importance, landing within the internationally-recognised 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based violence, a time to galvanise individuals into ending violence towards women and girls. During 16 Days of Activism, UK SAYS NO MORE will be focusing on 16 different issues around domestic violence and sexual assault in relation to health, including mental health, physical health, sexual health, pregnancy and how to help.
Speaking of the new partnership, Pat Ryan, CEO of Hestia said:
“Domestic and sexual violence is at epidemic levels across the UK. It is encouraging that Kingston Council and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Partnership have decided to join the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign in order to help us put a stop to domestic and sexual violence.”
Kingston Council will be using the partnership with UK SAYS NO MORE to highlight some of the ready available services for those affected by domestic and sexual violence in the borough, which include one of the first One Stop Shops for advice and information, the Kingston Domestic Violence Hub, a Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and emergency refuges.
The One Stop Shop on Clarence Street is open every Monday from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The Kingston Domestic Violence Hub helpline (020 8547 6046) is reachable Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and information on the Kingston MARAC service can be found here. To access the refuge service, please call 0300 7906 773 (general refuge service) or 0300 790 6774 (specialist refuge service for Asian women), Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm.
In addition, the Council is reviewing internal policies and the training and support it provides to managers in order to ensure a high quality response to issues of domestic violence, stalking and sexual harassment
Cllr Cathy Roberts, Kingston Council’s portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone that came along to the event. We are proud to be part of such an important campaign and shows our commitment to tackling domestic violence, abuse and sexual assault in the borough. We want to help and support as many vulnerable people in Kingston to leave abusive relationships and to let them know, that they are not in this alone.”
Following on from the magnitude of the #MeToo campaign to shine a light on just how commonplace these issues are, it’s as important now as ever to hold a national conversation on and Take a Stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.
We hope to be working further with Kingston Council into the new year, developing innovative ways to encourage the borough to say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Be sure to follow UK SAYS NO MORE on social media for regular campaign updates, blogs, partner information and other ways to get involved.
You can support UK SAYS NO MORE by:
- Adding your photo to the Gallery, joining others nationwide saying “NO MORE” to domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Sharing the campaign materials on social media and with friends, family and colleagues, to start a conversation around these issues.
- Pledging to learn more and take a stand by challenging derogatory language or the perpetuation of myths through learning and sharing of this knowledge.
