Activists from Jesmond’s Labour party will continue their series of local events to raise awareness of violence against women when they meet tomorrow at midday to tie 76 white ribbons to Armstrong Bridge in memory of the women who have died in the last year from domestic violence.

Their activities are part of an annual international campaign that runs from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10^th December (Human Rights Day).

Following a candlelit vigil last Friday (26th November) Labour party member and former Newcastle City Councillor Wendy Young said the Jesmond Branch 16 Days of Action campaign was necessary because “there really wasn’t enough visibility of women’s issues in Jesmond” and the aim of the campaign was to “raise the profile of violence against women locally”.

Young said: “Despite the terrible weather, lots of people showed up to the vigil and stopped to ask questions and donate money. It was really moving.” The campaigners are selling white ribbons to signify support for women who face domestic violence as well as calling for safety for women, whether at home or on the streets.

More than £80 was donated from passers-by at the vigil, with all money raised during the 16-day campaign going to women’s safety organisations, including the local Women’s Street Watch Ncl and National Ugly Mugs, an organisation that acts as an advocate for sex workers who experience violence in the course of their work.

At a public talk on Zoom, Newcastle City Council’s community safety lead, Joan Flood, spoke about the Shout Up! programme that protects women and girls in Newcastle’s bars and clubs. The initiative, launched in 2017, has just received funding to be rolled out further and aims to tackle sexual harrasment and equip staff with the skills to create safer working and leisure environments. The scheme has worked with around 40% of Newcastle’s licensed premises, including Jesmond’s Holy Hobo. Young said the Jesmond Labour branch had been encouraging other bars in Jesmond to sign up for the programme.

After the ribbon-tying on Armstrong Bridge, the Jesmond Labour branch’s events conclude with another Zoom talk at 6.30pm tomorrow (4th December) evening, this time on “Sex Work and the Law” where attendees will learn about legal situation for sex workers and the violence they can experience.

Young said that the Jesmond Labour branch encourages all members of any gender to join the events. “The most important thing for us is that we are raising awareness of the pressing issue,” she said.