Harrogate domestic abuse survivor calling for continued attention on violence against women
Lindsay Oliver set up New Beginnings to support women in the Harrogate and Craven district
The founder of a Harrogate domestic abuse charity is calling for attention to continue to be on how to prevent violence against women and girls.
Lindsay Oliver, who set up New Beginnings charity to support women and their children across Harrogate district and Craven, said the election for a new Police, Fire and Commissioner has shone a light on how little is known about the issue, and that the conversation needs to continue.
She is in favour of the pledges the new commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, made to tackle it.
She said:
"Phil Allott's comments showed that thought pattern is still endemic in itself and we're not going to overcome the situation as a whole until we can actually get to the root cause of why people think comments like that are acceptable.
"What's really been a silver lining is the attention and awareness that has been raised. It's nice to see that it's a priority and it is going to remain a priority. It's also great that she's looking at it from a preventative measure as well as how to tackle it.
The new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has promised to offer relationship lessons to all North Yorkshire children in Year 8 advice on where to turn if they find themselves threatened by their partner.
She also pledged to have specialist staff based in A&E to get victims tailored support as soon as possible.
Lindsay, added:
"Year 8 is the prime age to educate our young people on healthy relationships and where they can go to if they are unfortunate to be subjected to any form of violence, harassment or abuse.
"We are not going to stop this cycle. It has been going on for generations and generations. This problem is not going away and if we don't make it a society problem and we don't educate our young people about it early on then we don't have a chance of breaking that cycle at all."
New Beginnings is a peer led after-crisis support for women and their families previously subjected to domestic abuse, founded by survivor Lindsay Oliver.
They provide a safe environment for women and their children to re-establish themselves, reach their goals and achieve a happier, healthier future.
Emotional support is provided through peers, mentoring and increasing a survivor's support network with practical support including but not limited to housing, business start-ups, finding employment, budgeting, food bank requests, clothing needs, support with family court.
This group is for those who feel ready to move on with their life and would like support to do so in a safe and understanding environment.
You can find out more about New Beginnings and get support here.
You can also reach out to North Yorkshire IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services)