Ballymena to become a Safe Town for people living with domestic abuse.

Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman PJ McAvoy, welcomed local businesses along to the Braid Arts Centre, to acknowledge their support for people living with domestic abuse in the town, and helping Ballymena become a Safe Town for anyone living with abuse.

Ballymena Mayor Alderman PJ McAvoy and guests at the launch of Ballymena Safe Town

A total of 66 businesses and organisations in the borough, including Ballymena Borough Council, PSNI, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Ballymena Library, Northern Regional College, Adair Arms Hotel, Churches, constituency offices, shops and a wide range of other organisations supported the Onus Safe Place and Safe Employer initiatives, which are the first ‘pathways’ to becoming a Safe Town.

Colette Stewart, Onus Business Manager, explained how the Onus ‘pathways for participation’ work:

‘One in four women and one in nine men will experience domestic abuse at some stage during their lifetime. Organisations such as Women’s Aid, Victim Support and PSNI are doing everything they can to support those living with abuse, but we believe that everyone can do something. The Safe Place initiative for example simply signposts to local support services, but to us it is more than just the Safe Place logo. It is a statement, that there is an alternative to living with domestic abuse and support will be available when that person needs it’.

Mayor Alderman PJ McAvoy said during his speech that he was delighted with how much progress had been made in Ballymena in the past year, and thanked all those who contributed to making Ballymena becoming a Safe Town.

For further information on how to tackle this issue in the workplace, please visit www.onustraining.co.uk for further information on our wide range of services on offer or contact 028 2563 2136.

Anyone dealing with domestic violence can access support by calling the 24hr Domestic Violence Helpline on 0800 917 1414. Safe Place resources also give contact information for PSNI, Victim Support and Childline.