Artwork designed by students at Vision West Nottinghamshire College will go on display across Ashfield to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. Ashfield District Council wants to create a safer environment for women and girls in the area. And it wants to encourage more victims to report inappropriate behaviour.
The artwork highlights national statistics that reveal half of all women and girls have experienced verbal abuse; and that more than one in three have suffered sexual or physical abuse. It also explains how such abuse can be reported.
The poster is just one of a number of steps the council is taking to tackle violence against women and girls. It has doubled the number of public CCTV cameras over the past two years; and has provided local businesses in Hucknall, Sutton and Kirkby with radios, CCTV and sensor lighting.
It is also working with domestic abuse services to deliver healthy relationships programmes in primary schools. And it is in the middle of a public consultation on plans to introduce fines for people who verbally abuse or harass women and girls in the street.
“I found this project really creative and informative”, college student Amy Taylor, one of the designers, said. “I was able to develop my skills in designing something that will support women and girls across Ashfield.
“I discovered a range of new software and communication skills when developing the posters which helped to create powerful designs to support the campaign. I’m really pleased my work will be featured in the community and this will help protect women and girls.”
Explaining the priority that Ashfield District Council place on addressing violence against women and girls, its chief executive, Theresa Hodgkinson, said. “Harassment, physical, sexual and verbal abuse should not and cannot be tolerated.
“I’m thrilled we’ve had such fabulous support from students at Vision West Notts – I was hugely impressed with the work they did.
“We will continue working to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, especially women and girls. Raising awareness is crucial because, in addition to the proactive efforts we are making, we need behaviours and attitudes to change if we’re really to make a difference.”
Tony Hall, the design and media lead for Vision West Nottinghamshire College, said: “The students were delighted to be approached by Ashfield District Council and being involved in designing posters for the District. “The designs created hardly required any changes and the two posters chosen were excellent. It was a hard decision by the panel to make as all four designs were brilliant.”
