COVENTRY’S Lady Mayor is helping to support domestic violence charities during her year in office.
Coun Ann Lucas today (Monday November 23) announced she will be raising funds for a wide range of groups across the city, as well as raising awareness of what can be a ‘hidden crime’ and highlighting the help available in Coventry.
Starting on Wednesday (November 25) – the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – she will be supporting 16 days of Action against gender-based violence and helping the council highlight different themes exploring different forms of domestic abuse. It runs until December 10, Human Rights Day
Some city centre buildings will be illuminated in orange in support of this year’s campaign, including the Whittle Arch and Broadgate, and messages will go out on social media channels.
Coun Lucas said: “The importance of tackling domestic violence and abuse has been an issue I’ve been proud to lead on for many years.
“Abuse can take many forms, from controlling and degrading behaviour to violence. It can affect anyone, and unfortunately it can be hard to spot and difficult for the victims to come forward.
“I hope that in supporting the groups and organisations that tackle domestic abuse as my chosen charity for the year, I can do a little to help their work. I also hope to get people talking about the issue. For too many people, domestic abuse is part and parcel of their daily lives and it is present in all of our city’s communities. It is something we need to discuss.
“Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic has brought fresh worries about domestic abuse, with people being isolated from friends and loved ones, and with the extra pressures lockdown can bring to a troubled relationship.
“However, the pandemic has also shown how we can come together as a caring city to work with different organisations and as communities. That is the way to tackle this problem, by doing what we do best in Coventry – working together as partners to make sure help is there for those who need it.“
An active campaigner against domestic abuse, in 2014 the city’s mayor was awarded an OBE for her national and local work as a champion of domestic abuse and violence issues and her services to local government. She has held many posts, nationally, regionally and locally, including serving as the Local Government Association’s spokesperson on domestic abuse.
This #16Days, Women’s Aid is calling for a domestic abuse bill which ensures no survivor faces domestic abuse alone. In some parts of the UK, domestic abuse services are being forced to run their vital therapeutic support without any dedicated funding, while some survivors who have been affected by coercive control, gaslighting and other forms of abuse are unable to access the support they need to rebuild their lives.
The charity has released a Bill for Survivors, based on the needs of survivors and Women’s Aid member services. It sets out the priorities for forthcoming government legislation, bringing the voices of survivors and services together with new statistics highlighting the need for resources to fund specialist domestic abuse services.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering through domestic abuse in Coventry, you can find support at safetotalk. The Safe to Talk helpline is also available Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am – 1pm. For support call 0800 111 4998. If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial the Police on 999; if you are unable to talk, once connected to 999 press 55 and the police will attend.
You can donate to the Lord Mayor’s charity by sending a cheque payable to the ‘Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal’ to The Lord Mayor’s Office, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR.
You can also donate using the council’s online payment system by selecting ‘Council and democracy’ and then ‘Lord Mayor’s donations’ from the drop-down list.
