VIOLENCE against women is on the agenda as the annual 16 Days of Action campaign gets under way.

Domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, stalking, forced marriage and human trafficking are all issues that affect people living in the local area and Clackmannanshire Council has once again joined with an array of partner organisations across Forth Valley, to support the international campaign.

The need for that support is evidenced by the 704 incidents of domestic abuse from within the Clacks area reported to Police Scotland (Forth Valley Division) in the last year.

The campaign began yesterday (Tuesday 25 November), which was International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with an opening event in Alloa Town Hall where local practitioners and support workers heard from key speakers about the impact of gender based violence on black and minority ethnic communities.

Ahead of the event, council leader Les Sharp (pictured), one of the speakers, said: “I am proud that once again Clackmannanshire Council is supporting a number of events across Forth Valley as part of the 16 Days of Action campaign. 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.

“A programme of events will take place across Forth Valley to raise awareness within workplaces and the community of the various ways in which male violence can be perpetrated against females and their children.

“Local residents can get involved by taking part in these events, or by simply wearing the white ribbon to show their solidarity with the campaign.

“By all working together we can make a real difference to the lives of people living in the Forth Valley area.” Also lined up as speakers were Shakti Women’s Aid and LKW Solicitors and the event launched a new photo campaign to raise awareness, supported by a range of partners including Glenochil Prison who painted and donated the message boards used in the photographs.

Youngsters are helping to raise awareness at Forth Valley College and Alloa Academy, while a conference for young people will be held in Raploch Community Campus on the morning of Tuesday 9 December and the main focus will be the impact of gender-based violence on black and minority ethnic communities.

During the campaign, which runs until Wednesday 10 December (International Human Rights Day), training on domestic abuse will also be delivered to local workers in partnership with the Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSi).

Whilst most of the events taking place are aimed at workers locally, members of the public can support the campaign by heading along to a coffee morning organised by Clackmannanshire Women’s Aid on Sunday 30 November between 10.30am and 12.30pm in St Mungo’s R.C Church Hall, Alloa.

Entry will be £2 for adults, £1 for children, which includes coffee/tea/juice and cakes, and there will be a raffle, tombola, book stall and lucky dip.