CLACKMANNANSHIRE is to host series of events to raise awareness of violence against women and its wider impact over the next week or so.

Last Tuesday, a coalition of groups gathered at Alloa Town Hall to officially launch the start of this year’s 16 Days of Action campaign.

The event, held annually, is arranged in an effort to tackle gender-based abuse and human rights violations against women and young girls.

The programme will highlight issues including domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, stalking, forced marriage and human trafficking until its conclusion on December 10.

Clackmannanshire Council have teamed up with Police Scotland, Women’s Aid, HMP Glenochil and LKW Solicitors to further the 16 Days agenda, locally.

The programme launched at Alloa Town Hall and further events have been planned across the local authority area over the next two weeks.

Les Sharp, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “Violence against women is totally unacceptable and a blatant violation of human rights.

“The council is committed to supporting women and children who experience male violence and is proud to be involved in this campaign. By all working together we can make a real difference to the lives of people living in the Forth Valley area.” Christine Clark, of Clackmannanshire Women’s Aid, added: “We continue in our commitment to supporting women, children and young people in this area who have experience of domestic abuse.” Violence against women remains a major issue in the area, with Clackmannanshire police having received 1442 reports of domestic abuse incidents between April 2012 to March 2014.

In the same time, there has been 14 reported rapes; two assaults with intent to rape; and 70 sexual assaults.

More recent figures, dating from April to June of this year, show there were a further 183 domestic abuse incidents; one rape; one assault with intent to rape and 10 other sexual offences.

The 16 Days of Action programme will see events take place in Forth Valley College and in Alloa Academy where a group of dedicated young people have planned a range of initiatives to inform their fellow pupils and teachers about the issues.

Training on domestic abuse will be delivered to local workers in partnership with the Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSi).

Anyone affected by any of the issues highlighted in the campaign can contact Clacks Women’s Aid on 01259 721407; the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234