Stevenage Against Domestic Abuse is backing a global campaign – 16 Days of Action against domestic violence – to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

The international campaign began on Sunday, which was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10 – Human Rights Day.

SADA is a service run by Stevenage Borough Council and survivors of domestic abuse to help victims, offering help and guidance.

Set up in 2015, SADA was expanded into the North Herts area in August this year.

The team have many things planned throughout the 16-day campaign to help raise awareness of the initiative, including messages on buses travelling between Stevenage and North Herts, a stall in Stevenage town centre on December 6 and more.

Since 1991, 5,167 groups in 187 countries have contributed to promoting and supporting these 16 Days including Amnesty International and the World Health Organisation.

Councillor Sharon Taylor, Stevenage Borough Council leader and chair of SADA, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this innovative programme to raise awareness of domestic abuse and, in doing so, encourage both men and women who have suffered abuse to come out and seek help and advice.

“SADA has been doing a great job in providing vital services to individuals at risk.

“The service was lucky enough to be national winners in the summer and have been awarded funding to extend the service beyond 2019 from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

“This includes a provision for ‘safe space’ accommodation and demonstrates just one of the many ways that SADA are helping make a difference.”

Councillor Bernard Lovewell from North Herts District Council said: “NHDC is proud to be working with SADA to send out a clear message across our communities that we will not stay silent about domestic violence.

“We all have a responsibility to do all we can to rid society of domestic violence and abuse and must do everything we can to raise awareness of its impact and the help available.”

For more on upcoming events or if you need to talk to someone at SADA, call SBC on 01438 242666.