On Monday 12th September Merton Council became one of the first London boroughs to pledge their support to UK SAYS NO MORE.
The event took place in the Mayors’ Chambers Room where DCI Nicola Church, Cllr Katy Neep, Yvette Stanley – Director for Children Schools and Families, and Hestia’s VAWG Partnership Manager Lyndsey Dearlove signaled the need for such a campaign.
Also in the attendance was the Mayor of Merton, Cllr Brenda Fraser who addressed the need for such campaigns and highlighted the positive outcomes that can happen when society is actively engaged in issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault.
Zoe Gallen – Strategic Priority Lead for Domestic Violence & Abuse at Merton Council who organised the event said: “Merton’s launch went very well and I’m please we can be part of UK SAYS NO MORE. I think it’s a strong message to residents showing that as a borough we do not accept domestic violence/abuse and sexual assault but also showing victims that we will take their experiences seriously and want to support them through the daunting task of reporting and leaving an abusive relationship. The campaign is also a strong message to perpetrators of abuse, showing that we will not accept their behaviour.”
Having the campaign in the borough will benefit the residents as they will see there is a clear focus by Merton Council to help and support all those experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault. Gellen believes “The campaign will show victims that we will take their reports seriously and sensitively.”
For more information on Merton’s One Stop Shop, click here.
Interested in becoming a partner of UK SAYS NO MORE?
Please get in touch with Lyndsey Dearlove, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnership Manager at Hestia.
You can contact Lyndsey by email at [email protected] or by phone at 020 7378 3170.
[maxbutton id=”7″] [maxbutton id=”6″] [maxbutton id=”1″]