Havering pupils’ performance highlights domestic violence

A performance by Havering pupils highlighted domestic violence against women at a conference last week.

Havering Council held the event at Myplace to mark White Ribbon Day on Sunday, a day of awareness of the abuse.

The authority has also won White Ribbon status in recognition of its commitment to tackling domestic violence.

During the conference last Thursday speeches were given by Marshalls Park School pupils Maizy Hines and Courtney Taylor.

They performed a section of a wider piece put together in school as part of a project with Tender, a charity which works to end violence and abuse in relationships between young people.

They acted out scenes between a young girl and her boyfriend, containing signs of domestic abuse including control and emotional abuse.

Speakers at the event included Jo Sharpen, from AVA (Against Violence and Abuse), Shaminder Ubhi from the Ashiana Network who spoke about victims of forced marriage and honour-based violence, and Cllr Geoff Starns, cabinet member for community safety.

He said: “This was a very intense but important conference and allowed us to share vital information with our partners in the public and voluntary sectors about domestic violence, especially the damaging effect it can have on young women in our community.

“We also heard how it is not just women, but men, who can be victims. I am proud that our work to stamp domestic violence out of our community, as well as to support victims, has been recognised by the White Ribbon Campaign.”