Borough picks up Safe Town Awards

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Thomas Hogg, Councillor Linda Clarke, Chairman of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP and Councillor Noreen McClelland pictured at the recent ONUS Awards in Newry. The Mayor collected 'Safe Town' awards for Antrim, Ballyclare, Glengormley and Whiteabbey. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council also received a 'Gold Award' for its workplace charter on domestic violence. INNT 46-517CON

The Safe Town Awards recognise the range of initiatives supported by council, businesses, schools, Churches, community groups, PSNI and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to highlight the support available for anyone living with domestic abuse, and clearly stating the message that perpetrators of abuse will be challenged in a ‘Safe Town’.

Antrim and Ballyclare became the first towns in Northern Ireland to attain Safe Town status in 2011.

Cllr Hogg was joined at the awards ceremony in Newry by Antrim and Newtownabbey Policing and Community Safety Partnership chairman Cllr Linda Clarke and Glengormley Cllr Noreen McClelland.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council also received a ‘Gold Award’ for its workplace charter on domestic violence.

“We are delighted that these areas of our borough have achieved Safe Town Awards. This is a great achievement and ensures that our residents and visitors feel safe to use our towns without fear,” Cllr Hogg commented.

ONUS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Women’s Aid and was established in 2007 to generate income to sustain Women’s Aid services. It aims to complement the work of Women’s Aid and other service providers, by raising awareness of the range of services available for people living with domestic abuse, provide training and consultancy especially through the Safe Place, Safe Employer (Workplace Charter) and Safe Town initiatives.