Norfolk churches to ring out the No to Domestic Violence message loud and clear

The no to domestic violence message will be sounding out loud and clear this weekend as churches across the county ring bells in support of a campaign to combat abuse at home.

Several Norfolk churches will ring their bells tomorrow as part of the Norfolk Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board's week-long Norfolk Says No initiative which fits in with the Evening News's Don't Suffer in Silence campaign.

The ringing of the bells has been co-ordinated by the Rev Adrian Miller, Team Vicar in the Tas Valley Team Ministry.

He said: 'We don't often talk about domestic abuse. We don't like to acknowledge it. It may be hidden, but it happens, and it's horrid. We know that God cares about this.

'He hears the cries of those suffering. And we care because God cares. We may not have all the answers, but we know that this behaviour is wrong. We care about those who are suffering, and we want it to stop.'

Candles were lit at the Saxlingham Nethergate church yesterday at 4.30pm to mark the end of the Norfolk Says No to Domestic Violence campaign. The event was attended by Georgina Holloway, the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Rev Miller and Sally Rozier, chief executive of Norfolk Partners Against Crime Trust (PACT), plus some of the churches regular bell ringers.

Norfolk PACT yesterday launched its new updated version of the Survival Card, a small discreet card which gives information on how to get help if you are involved in domestic abuse.

Anyone interested in obtaining a supply of the cards should contact Norfolk PACT on norfolkpact@norfolk.pnn.police.uk