Saints star Paul tackles Domestic Violence

Saints star Paul Wellens is throwing his weight behind a campaign to show domestic violence the red card!

 

St.Helens Council and its Community Safety Partners - who already sponsor the full back through the Safer St Helens campaign - have recruited Paul to help front a new initiative called 'Let's Tackle Domestic Violence Together'

The new drive aims to raise awareness of domestic violence in St Helens by encouraging people to go online and sign a pledge of support to end domestic violence and abuse - against women, children and men.

Over the next month residents who sign the pledge will be entered into a draw to win one of a number of autographed 'Let's Tackle Domestic Violence Together' t-shirts by Paul.

The number of domestic-related crimes in St Helens (April 2011-March 2012) totalled 357, while 38 restraining injunction or non-molestation orders were also granted by the courts

Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection and Safer Communities Councillor Richard McCauley said: "We're delighted that Saints are playing a major role in this campaign.

"At least one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and between one in eight and one in ten women experience it annually. Less than half of all incidents are reported to the police, but they still receive one domestic violence call every minute in the UK."

Paul added: "Domestic abuse isn't just physical. It can be psychological, sexual, emotional or even financial. It involves a wide range of abusive and controlling behaviour and can take the form of threats, harassment, physical attacks, financial control or emotional abuse.

"It's a crime that cuts across all social, cultural and religious boundaries and has devastating consequences for victims, their families and the wider community."

 Sign the pledge