'Women's vigil message was clear, no more silence'

Ann Mitchell says the event in Beverley was a "powerful moment"

Crowds gathered in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire to take part in vigils to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).

People came together outside Grimsby Town Hall and Wednesday Market in Beverley on Tuesday as part of an international day of awareness.

According to North East Lincolnshire Council, 21% of all recorded crime in the borough had been related to VAWG.

Ann Mitchell, a trustee at The National Federation of Women's Institutes, attended the Beverley vigil and said: "The message is really, no more silence. This is about bringing out into the light the domestic abuse and gender-based violence across the world."

Pam Walker wants people facing violence and abuse to draw "strength and comfort" from the vigil she attended

Ms Mitchell added: "People have come out in their droves to support this vigil. I think it will send out a strong message to policymakers to give women a voice."

Pam Walker was also in Beverley and said she wanted to support other people through her own experience of domestic abuse.

She said: "At first I didn't realise I was being abused, it was a mental thing, but the first time it turned physical I sought help.

"I used to blame myself and look at what more I could have done. I was so ashamed and embarrassed that I didn't want to tell anyone.

"I hope that people draw some strength and comfort knowing they are not on their own."

People gathered outside Grimsby Town Hall as part of an international day of awareness

Emma Clough, who organised the vigil in Grimsby, said: "There's a part of me that hopes the stigma has gone and women are reporting incidents. But that figure needs to be reduced."

Ms Clough said it was important to "stand together, remember those who had been harmed and reaffirm a pledge to stop violence".

She added: "The weather has been miserable but Grimsby has turned out. People here are hardy and will turn out for causes they believe in."

Sylvia Moss says she feels "sad" knowing violence against women and girls is still happening

Sylvia Moss attended the vigil and said it was "sad" that people were still working to raise awareness of the issue.

She said: "I've worked for more than 40 years to stop violence against women and working with victims. It is a sad state of affairs.

"I just hope that with events like these and other awareness raising that we'll get there in the end."

Social worker Ian Wilson says it is important for men to show solidarity and understand the challenges women face

Ian Wilson, a father of two daughters, attended the Market Place event and said it was important for men to show their support.

"I wanted to show solidarity with women and understand the challenges they face. It was an important event for me to come to," he said.

"There has been a lot of change in attitudes [towards women] and in society but there's a long way to go, we need to spread the message."

According to the National Audit Office, more than one in four women will be a victim of sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetime.

Additional reporting by Naj Modak, BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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