Cabinet Members and Councillors joined Thurrock Council's Community Safety team to speak to residents about Gender-Based Violence.
It is estimated that almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, none-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives.
As part of the UN Women's 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence, Thurrock Council hosted two community engagement sessions at South Essex College and Grays Train Station on Thursday 28 November.
The sessions were joined by Councillor Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, and councillors who spoke to the community about Violence Against Young Women and Girls (VAWG), ways to stay safe whilst out in public and the resources and information that are available to get support.
Officers from Essex Police were also in attendance to provide further safety information and answer questions.
Councillor Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, said: "Gender-based violence is a national emergency that needs drastic action now. It can have a devastating impact on victim's physical and mental health and, in many cases put their lives at risk.
"We are dedicated to tackling this issue as a priority at Thurrock Council to ensure that all women and girls feel safe within our borough.
"These sessions allowed us to directly talk to residents about how they can stay safe, support one another and report any incidents so we can hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
"Support is available for victims both locally and nationally, I urge anyone who is a victim of abuse to visit our website for help. Together we can take action to ensure no one is suffering in silence."
