Campaign to raise awareness of violence against women

Campaign to raise awareness of violence against women

18 September 2024

A NEW digital and PR campaign to target violence against women has been launched by Newry, Mourne and Down Council. 

The ‘#EndItNow’ campaign is designed to raise awareness of a range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm, which is disproportionately targeted towards women and girls.

The aim of the campaign is to highlight some of the key impact of men’s inappropriate sexual behaviour towards women and girls and the issues with the criminal justice system in tackling offenders.

The council has partnered with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council, Southern Health and Social Care Trust and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to promote the campaign across local media and social media channels.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman Pete Byrne said: “Violence against women and girls causes significant harm to those experiencing it and can have a significant long-lasting impact.

“It is clear that the biggest difference we can make is to tackle male violence and misogynistic attitudes.

“Women’s and girls’ safety will not come from changing the behaviour of women and girls but from changing the culture in our communities that fails to tackle this issue.”

Donna Murphy, assistant director of Family Support and Safeguarding at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “The Trust’s safeguarding team, including the Southern Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Partnership, welcome the opportunity to collaborate with council to promote awareness about domestic violence.

“Together we can change behaviours and culture by changing minds and attitudes through speaking out to end violence against women and girls.” 

The key phone numbers which are promoted as part of this partnership are as follows: Southern Health and Social Care Trust, 028 3576 7100, and 

for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, 0300 100 0300.

Alternatively, victims can contact the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline on 0808 802 1414.

The campaign is also supported by a range of online resources which are available on the council’s website: www.newrymournedown.org/safeguarding which provides other support services for women and girls.