Plymouth's end gender-based violence campaign launches

Organisers want to spread the message that everyone has a role in preventing violence against women and girls

A campaign tackling violence against women and girls begins on Saturday.

People living in Plymouth are invited to take part in the international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign.

Plymouth City Council has helped organise a range of webinars, awareness sessions and information events.

Councillor Sally Haydon said: "We all need to come together and make sure that Plymouth is a safe place for everyone."

'Shocking statistic'

On Saturday, a peaceful "leave no-one behind"' walk will begin at Marks and Spencer at 14:00 GMT and go through the town centre before finishing at the Nancy Astor statue on the Hoe.

Ms Haydon, the council's cabinet member for community safety, added: "It is staggering to think that one in three women in the UK have been subject to at least one form of sexual harassment over the past year.

"This is a shocking statistic."

The council is joining local charity Trevi in a campaign called Enough tackling similar issues.

Plymouth City Council's champion for violence against women and girls, Councillor Zoe Reilly, said: "For too long, the responsibility of keeping safe has been placed on the shoulders of women and girls.

"This campaign says 'Enough,' and recognises it is on all of us to demand major societal change. Everyone has a stake in this."

Last year, Plymouth set up a violence against women and girls commission following the murder of Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

There is also an established multi-agency partnership aimed at preventing and addressing domestic abuse and sexual violence in the city.