WORKERS across Torbay have been telling women to 'Speak Out, Break Free' as part of a campaign to stop domestic abuse.

A group of Torbay Council and police staff wore T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Those taking part included Torbay street wardens, Connections workers, councillors, Safer Communities staff and Age Concern representatives.

According to statistics one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse in the UK.

Marked with the national domestic abuse statistics, the shirts were worn for one day only in order to highlight the vast number of people affected by domestic abuse.

All those wearing the T-shirts had been educated about domestic abuse and had leaflets listing the support services available in Torbay with contact details.

Sue Smith, street warden for Torquay town centre, said: "Domestic abuse has been such a taboo subject in the past. With this event we are hoping to do away with that perception and expose it for the crime it really is."

The event aims to educate the public about the help available to victims and their families.

It follows on from the launch of Safer Communities Torbay's domestic abuse film shown on Monday, where officers from each of the support agencies showcased the services available in Torbay.

It was one of several events to take place as part of Domestic Abuse Awareness Week.

Caroline Taylor, deputy chief executive of Torbay Council, who has been involved in all of the week's activities, said: "Domestic abuse is a priority issue for the local authority and we are dedicated to reducing the effects of domestic abuse on families in the bay.

For information go to www.safercommunitiestorbay. org.uk