Candlelight vigil held for gender-based violence campaign

Members of the council, women's charities and emergency service personnel gathered at the West Dunbartonshire Council Headquarters in Dumbarton last night to hold a minute's silence.

The 16-day campaign promotes awareness of violence against women and children by educating communities and remembering those who have lost their lives as a result of domestic abuse.

Provost Karen Murray Conaghan raised a flag to start the campaign 16 days ago. (Image: Stewart Robertson) Speaking at the vigil, Provost Karen Murray-Conaghan said it was important to remember all the work that has taken place during the campaign.

She said: "It was important for us to mark the end just as we did at the start of the 16 days.

"We had the flag-raising, we had people together and we’ve had a lot of conversations about what needs to change.

"Doing it at this time of day we were able to have a little candlelight vigil which seemed really apt. We think about usually women and girls who are damaged by gender-based violence or who have been killed or injured.

"We had a nice minute of silence and just pondered how things are and how they might be different if we all start to work together.

"It's important for us to not just mark it, but to act and do something positive."

Candles were laid by the flagpole outside the council headquarters. (Image: Newsquest) Liz Mooney from Woman's Aid says alarming local statistics have meant it's been important to spread the message of this campaign.

She said: "For years we've supported the 16 days because we think it's really important that it is out there and people are talking about it and realising that this is what's going on.

"I think the fact that West Dunbartonshire has the second-highest number of reported incidents makes it more important that everything hears about this.

"We always say as well that's only reported incidents. We work with a lot of people who don't report this to the police.

"We’ve been getting to schools and working with young people trying to get them on board. We have had a prevention worker who's been working with police and fire cadets too."