Merton Council is supporting a national campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault.  

Merton was one of the first London boroughs to join the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign, which aims to engage communities to take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual assault. The initiative is a partnership between London-based charity Hestia and NO MORE in the United States.

One of the faces of the week-long campaign, which starts today, is Zoe Gallen, the Council’s strategic lead for domestic violence and abuse, who was chosen to appear alongside comedian Eddie Izzard.

The UK SAYS NO MORE flag will be flying outside Merton Civic Centre in London Road, Morden, to show support for the campaign. Inside the Civic Centre, information will be displayed throughout the week on services available in the borough to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Domestic violence is not just physical. Perpetrators can be controlling, isolate their victims from friends and family; control their money; invade their privacy, for example by reading their emails or monitoring their calls or restrict their freedom by telling them where they can or cannot go.

Merton Council’s Director of Children, Schools and Families, Yvette Stanley, said: “We must end the silence around domestic violence and sexual assault and say: ‘No more’. There is no excuse for anyone, child or adult, to be subjected to physical harm or mental abuse in their own home by their partner or another member of the family.

“We are proud that Zoe Gallen is one of the faces of such an important campaign and we want to raise awareness of the support available for anyone who has experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse.”

The One Stop Shop, a confidential service for anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse in Merton, is open on Mondays (except Bank Holiday Mondays) from 9.30am – noon at Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden SM4 5BL.

For more information call 020 7801 1777 or visit: www.merton.gov.uk/domesticviolence

For more information on UK SAYS NO MORE visit http://uksaysnomore.org/