A campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse over the festive holidays and encourage people to report cases is being launched.

On 25 November, as part of National White Ribbon Day, North Wales Police’s #CheerNotFear campaign aims to educate people about different forms of domestic abuse, the signs to look out for in both victims and perpetrators, who can help and how to report cases.

Light up vigils will take place across North Wales as part of White Ribbon Day on 25 November, and the police will then be using the ‘16 Days of Activism’ international campaign to end violence against women to raise awareness of all types of domestic abuse.

Social media users are encouraged to follow the #CheerNotFear hashtag to show their support.

PC Mike Taggart, a strategic domestic abuse officer in North Wales Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said: “Every year nearly two million people in the UK suffer from some form of domestic abuse. Throughout the UK, 130,000 children live in homes with high-risk domestic abuse.

“Our message is simple; we want this to stop.

“The ‘light up’ vigils will be held in Bangor, Rhyl and Wrexham in honour of White Ribbon Day and in memory of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped and murdered whilst walking home in South London in March this year.

“We are asking any members of the public to attend, wearing white ribbons and use the lights on their mobile phones or torches to show their support to end violence against women and domestic abuse, for good.”

The ceremonies will all take place at 7pm at Pontio in Bangor University, Rhyl Events Arena and Queens Square, Wrexham and are expected to last for 30-60 minutes. Everyone is welcome.

For more on the #CheerNotFear campaign, including information on the different forms of domestic abuse and the signs to look out for, www.northwales.police.uk/news/north-wales/news/news/2021/november/cheernotfear-campaign.