‘Be a Lover, Not a Fighter’ urges new domestic violence campaign

A new campaign aims to highlight the long-lasting and devastating effects of domestic abuse on the children who witness it.

The ‘Be a Lover not a Fighter’ campaign is running across areas in Lancashire, including Blackburn with Darwen, as well as Cheshire and Merseyside from Monday, February 8.

Statistics revealed around the launch show 90 per cent of domestic abuse in the UK is witnessed by children.

The short and long-term impacts on children are huge, on behaviour and educational achievement as well as physical and mental health, including increasing the risk of suicide and self-harm.

As part of the campaign people are urged to wear ‘Be a Lover not a Fighter’ badges, talk about the issues and be aware what to do should someone they know be victims of domestic abuse.

Local celebrity, Superbike World Champion Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty, is backing the campaign locally and asking the public to stand up and help put an end to domestic abuse.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have suffered domestic abuse in the UK, with two women killed every week and two men killed every month by their partners. About half of violent relationships involve violence by both partners.

Councillor Yusuf Jan Virmani, Executive Member for Housing, Localities and Prevention, said:

Domestic abuse is still largely a hidden crime which happens behind closed doors and can affect anyone regardless of social background, age, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnic background. This campaign focusses on the effects on children and young people which can be catastrophic and last a lifetime. I would therefore urge as many people as possible to engage in this campaign and show how seriously we take domestic abuse and our commitment to dealing with it.

Councillor Pat McFall, Chair of the Domestic Abuse Strategic Board, said:

Abuse comes in all forms. It’s not just physical violence it can be emotional too involving threatening or controlling behaviour. We want people to bring the issue out into the open so we can work together to tackle domestic abuse for good. If you or someone you know is being abused, you must get the help and support you need to put a stop to it as quickly as possible. If anyone is at risk of being injured, you must call the police straight away.

Councillor Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

We want to do all we can to put an end to domestic abuse across Lancashire and this campaign will play an important part in that. The campaign is all about getting people to talk about domestic abuse, and aims to start conversations about how it affects people and their families.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:

Tackling domestic abuse is one of my key priorities and that involves raising awareness in society that this is an issue no one can afford to turn a blind eye to. We cannot ignore domestic abuse or claim it is not happening – stopping it requires society as a whole to stand against it.

Spreading that message is what the Be a Lover not a Fighter campaign is all about, and I am delighted to be able to support it.

For more information about the campaign, upcoming ‘Be a Lover not a Fighter’ engagement event in Blackburn with Darwen or to find out how you can pledge your support go to: www.lovernotfighter.org.uk