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Renfrewshire Council Plan 2008 - 2012 Facebook campaign tackles domestic abuse in Renfrewshire
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Social networking website Facebook is being used in a campaign to reach out to victims of domestic abuse in Renfrewshire.
The popular website is being used to target young women in the Renfrewshire area to help point them in the direction of support, either for themselves, or a friend who may be a victim of domestic abuse.
Young women aged between 18 and 35 from Renfrewshire who log into the site will receive messages linking them to advice and contact details on support for victims of domestic abuse.
As well as the Facebook campaign, posters will go up in female toilets across Renfrewshire bearing the message, “Domestic Abuse. Don’t Ignore It.”
The popular website is being used to target young women in the Renfrewshire area to help point them in the direction of support, either for themselves, or a friend who may be a victim of domestic abuse.
Young women aged between 18 and 35 from Renfrewshire who log into the site will receive messages linking them to advice and contact details on support for victims of domestic abuse.
As well as the Facebook campaign, posters will go up in female toilets across Renfrewshire bearing the message, “Domestic Abuse. Don’t Ignore It.”
Councillor Brian Lawson, Renfrewshire Council’s Community Safety spokesperson said: “We are reaching out to women in Renfrewshire who may be a victim of domestic abuse themselves or know someone else who is. The message is simple – don’t ignore domestic abuse. There is help available in Renfrewshire.”
The campaign is being run as part of the Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire Strategy, a three year plan to make Renfrewshire a safer place to live, work and visit.
One of the key aims of the strategy is to increase people’s confidence and see more incidents of domestic abuse reported.
Councillor Lawson added: “Although the number of incidents of domestic abuse reported has increased in Renfrewshire over the last few years we are very much aware that most of this type of abuse goes unreported. It can go on for many years and has a far-reaching impact on families, children, friends and neighbours.
“Through this campaign we are also highlighting the fact that it is now possible to report domestic abuse without identifying yourself or speaking directly to a police officer through Strathclyde Police’s third party reporting system. This makes it easier to report domestic abuse and helps us to break the cycle of violence.”
Strathclyde Police’s third party reporting system allows victims, witnesses or third parties to go to somewhere which is not a police office to report an incident. They can also access the form on the Strathclyde Police website and submit it themselves.
There are two nominated local sites for third-party reporting of domestic abuse. One is at the office's of Renfrewshire Council Women and Children First and the other is at Renfrewshire Women’s Aid office, 2 Violet Street, Paisley.
Alternatively go to the Strathclyde Police website.
There are a number of services that can assist if you require support:
Women and Children First Service: 0141 887 7227
Renfrewshire Women’s Aid: 0141 561 7030
Press release issued: Tuesday 16 March 2010
