Women's Institute stages anti-violence vigils

Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne attended a vigil in Horsham

Vigils have been held in West Sussex as part of a global campaign to end violence against women.

The events in Chichester and Horsham were organised by the Women's Institute (WI), as part of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Bunting was displayed featuring the names of women from Sussex who had died violent deaths in the last five years.

The WI said violence against women was preventable and the statistics were "horrific".

Erika Brichta said women could also volunteer at their local refuge

Erika Brichta, chair of the West Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes, told BBC Radio Sussex that tackling domestic violence had been a long-standing concern for the charity, with repeated campaigns.

She said: "Violence against women and girls is preventable.

"Women and girls are 27 times more likely to be harassed online. In the UK, one in four women will experience domestic abuse [and] two women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales.

"The statistics are horrific."

Orange has been chosen as the colour of the campaign, spearheaded by the United Nations

Monday's events were part of 16 days of activism, ending on International Human Rights day on 10 December.

"If men wear a white ribbon to say domestic violence is not in their name, that's good," Ms Brichta said.

"If women wear an orange flower, which is the United Nations' colour, that also shows their support."

She said women could also volunteer at their local refuge.

She added: "We had representatives from Safe In Sussex at both vigils, and we've been fundraising for them. They desperately need funds."

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