- 01/12/2010
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
AM’s Mid Wales White Ribbon tour
Joyce Watson AM, Brecknock Women’s Aid and local campaigners are today (Friday 26 November) selling white ribbons at the Co-op, Lion Street, Brecon, to raise awareness of the campaign to stop violence against women.
Speaking in Brecon, local Labour AM Joyce Watson, said:
“I am delighted to be in Brecon selling white ribbons, and I hope that as many people as possible will show their support for the campaign by wearing one.
“ Domestic abuse accounts for a quarter of recorded crime in England and Wales, and in many instances children are witnesses to this abuse.
“One in four women suffers from domestic violence and this in turn can lead to other problems, such as alcohol and drug misuse.
Mrs Watson, who is the Chair of the National Assembly Cross Party Group on Human Trafficking, added:
“Even when the physical scars of abuse may fade over time the emotional scars can last a lifetime.
“We all know that domestic violence comes in many forms and not just physical. I recently came across a case where a woman was denied access to her own money by her partner. She was reduced to asking her own children for pocket money so that she was able to buy basic sanitary products. This woman was reduced to the role of a beggar in her own home, whilst her children witnessed the humiliation of one parent at the hands of another.
“Such episodes and treatment clearly have no place in a civilised society.
“It is crucial that men sign up to the campaign to eradicate domestic violence. The White Ribbon Campaign has played an important role in raising awareness amongst men of the prevalence of domestic violence and this good work must continue.”
The campaign encourages men to take responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.
Mrs Watson is touring Mid Wales, visiting Ystradgynlais, Brecon and Newtown today, then tomorrow morning she will be in Welshpool. She spoke yesterday (November 25th) at the White Ribbon Day ‘Light a Candle’ Service at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
For further details about Joyce Watson or to contact her please click on www.joycewatson.co.uk.
