New sculpture to remember women killed by their abusive partners
Weston Soroptimists with Dame Joan Collins. - Credit: Submitted
Weston Soroptimists will march through Weston to raise awareness of violence against women.
The group is staging the event on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25.
They will be joined by Soroptimist clubs from across the South West and Tara Newley Arkle – domestic abuse campaigner and daughter of Joan Collins.
The group will tie bows to the railings around Grove Park’s fountain to represent the number of women killed by their partners last year, before unveiling a new sculpture in memory of the victims.
Melanie David, from Weston Soroptimists, said: “This year we are planning an event in Weston, in order to support Gemini services, an organisation responsible for the women’s refuge and other assistance for domestic abuse survivors in and around the town.
“Once again we shall be getting support from other soroptimist clubs in the region. We will all walk through Weston, along the High Street, distributing bookmarks.
“When we reach Grove Park we will attach orange bows to the railings around the fountain. Each bow represents one of the women killed by their partners over the previous year.
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“We will then move to the flower bed in the park that commemorates women who have been killed by their partners, where a stunning new sculpture will be unveiled.”
Last year the group took part in an awareness march in Bristol, which was also attended by Joan Collins who spoke about her own experiences.
The group dresses in orange – the theme of the awareness day – and hands out bookmarks which include a checklist to help young people understand they do not have to tolerate persistent abuse or controlling behaviour in a relationship.
The bookmarks have been given out to a number of schools in North Somerset.
Gemini Services provides accommodation, training and support to women, men and children who have been affected by domestic violence in North Somerset.
People all over the world stage events on the day to raise awareness of violence against girls and women and to try to prevent it through education.
