RESIDENTS showed their support for a campaign to put an end to domestic violence by joining in with events to mark White Ribbon Day.

In Chester 30 people, including local councillors, took part in a mile-long walk around the city centre, selling white ribbons and encouraging others to take a stand against domestic abuse.

In Ellesmere Port 588 white T-shirts were hung across civic square, one for each of the domestic abuse incidents reported to the police between April 2010 and March 2011 in the Ellesmere Port area.

The events marked the launch of the borough’s bid to gain White Ribbon status, demonstrating that domestic abuse won’t be tolerated in West Cheshire and that public, voluntary and community bodies are working together to raise the profile of the issue, change attitudes and encourage people in abusive relationships to seek help.

Cheshire Jets, Chester Women’s Aid, Ellesmere Port Boxing Club, The DeeSign Deaf Choir, Chester University Student Union, Neston Community and Youth Centre, Northwich Rugby Team, Children’s Centres, the Local Domestic Abuse Partnership including local refuges, Cheshire Police and Health agencies were among those who threw their weight behind the campaign.

A Flickr gallery has been created where all of the images from the day can be viewed:

www.flickr.com/photos/cheshirewest/sets/72157628000130135/

Councillor Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “I just want to thank everyone for showing their support and getting involved.

“By standing together to show that domestic abuse, in any form, is not acceptable, we are giving victims and perpetrators the courage to stop the cycle and seek help.”