Women marching say 'we're slipping back in time'

More than 100 people gathered in Middlesbrough

More than 100 people have taken part in a march to protest the rise in violence against women, amid fears things are "slipping back" in time.

UK Women's March events took place across the country and the world, but organisers said the Middlesbrough event was just as important as the town has "one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country".

Lucy Wade, one of the protesters, said she was there because a member of her family was "badly attacked".

"I'm here for her," she said.

UK Women's March said it was protesting the 37% rise in violence against women and girls since 2018.

The events coincided with thousands of people taking to the streets in Washington DC in America to protest Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Lucy Wade said it was an "emotional" day

Liz Askins said the fact that "so many people" turned up on Teesside on a "cold, mid-January day" was "testimony to how important this is".

She said she believed domestic abuse was "akin to terrorism".

"I'm nearly 60 and I thought times had moved on but we're slipping back and it's time for people to realise we've got to stand together."

Liz Askins believes domestic abuse is "akin to terrorism"

The UK government recently repeated it was treating violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a "national emergency".

Ms Askins said it was "important" that Middlesbrough was identified as a "population that cares about its vulnerable".

"I'm so proud, it's very emotional," said Ms Wade.