AN EXHIBITION to raise awareness of domestic violence issues on the Isle of Wight is to be held at a former cafe.
Last year there were 295 Isle of Wight domestic violence victims — and 487 children involved — that were at risk of murder or significant harm, according to an Isle of Wight Council spokeswoman.
In a bid to bring the issue to light, artwork and poetry created by people affected by domestic violence will be on show from tomorrow (Tuesday) until Friday, next week, at the former Island Images cafe in Newport High Street, near County Hall.
Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Dave Stewart, said: "Domestic abuse remains a big issue on the Island and it is important that we raise awareness so victims know where to find support.
"Domestic abuse and gender based violence are often considered to be hidden crimes because victims find it difficult to come forward and seek support. We hope that the exhibition will act to highlight the issues and that more people will come forward to seek help."
Work by students from Carisbrooke College and Sandown Bay Academy, who recently studied the issue, will be on display.
There will be free refreshments and donations will be accepted for the White Ribbon campaign to cut violence against women.
The exhibition coincides with the international campaign 16 Days of Action, aimed at ending violence against women and girls, and has been organised by the Island's Domestic Abuse Forum, made up of public agencies and charities.
It will be curated by volunteers from those groups between 10am and 4pm each day, except Sunday.
Fleur Gardiner, domestic abuse co-ordinator at the Isle of Wight Council, said: "For the last two years we have invited people to take part in Reclaim the Night marches around the time of the 16 Days of Action, but this year we wanted to do something a bit different.
"The art work is of a very high standard and we hope that people, whether they have been affected by domestic abuse or not, will take a few minutes out of their day to visit the exhibition and find out a little more about the issues facing so many people on the Island and the support available."
The Island's women's refuge outreach team last year worked with 401 women and 487 children, while 22 women and 30 children were accommodated at the refuge.
Councillor Dawn Cousins, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Children and young people are sadly the innocent victims of domestic abuse."
There were 44 reported rapes and the Independent Sexual Violence Advocate, who works with victims of sexual abuse, is currently working on 25 cases.
Victim Support has organised a self-defence class for women on December 9 at Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin. To book a place, call 533688.
Comments
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by George Rolph
27th November 2012, at 01:02:03
"Although it is overwhelmingly women who suffer..." Hands up if you spotted the deliberate lie in that statement. No? It was the word, "overwhelmingly." In FACT (as opposed to propaganda) male victims of abuse in almost every large scientific study done WORLD WIDE shows a parity in numbers of female victims of abuse and in some cases there are MORE male victims. I suspect that Mr Brown knows that and if not, he needs to reeducate himself. I doubt he thinks that, he probably read it on the women's aid website. What are the funding figures for male victims I wonder....Richard? PS. Before you answer I have studied this for thirty years so please, DO NOT assume I do not know what I am talking about. Thanks.
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by Richard Brown
26th November 2012, at 16:13:16
Although it is overwhelmingly women who suffer, there are male victims too, and it can be a great deal more difficult for them to seek help. There is a phone number given on the "Women's Aid" web site for male victims
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by George Rolph
26th November 2012, at 13:27:32
"There will be free refreshments and donations will be accepted for the White Ribbon campaign to cut violence against women." Domestic violence will never be "ended" as long as campaigns usch as this one are sexist, biased and untruthful. If we are going to end domestic abuse we have to start with an understanding that it affects PEOPLE and not just women. Huge numbers of men suffer domestic abuse in the UK but they are ignored totally by campaigns such as this one and the reporting of the issues always minimises the suffering of those men as if they do not exist. How long must we go on asking the media and campaign groups to show a measure of equality on the issue before they will cease these offensive emotive and inaccurate campaigns? How many more men have to die before councillors start to insist that any campaign to raise awareness must also be aimed at protecting male victims of abuse?
Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.