Mansfield bar staff sport ‘shiners’ to highlight abuse

If you see bar staff sporting black eyes while you’re out this weekend, don’t be alarmed.
Bar staff from Leeming Street's Industria bar (L-R) Josh Crummack, Michelle Macefield, Courtney Walton, Lewis English and Owen Morgan support their domestic abuse awareness campaign by blacking their eyes (with makeup).Bar staff from Leeming Street's Industria bar (L-R) Josh Crummack, Michelle Macefield, Courtney Walton, Lewis English and Owen Morgan support their domestic abuse awareness campaign by blacking their eyes (with makeup).
Bar staff from Leeming Street's Industria bar (L-R) Josh Crummack, Michelle Macefield, Courtney Walton, Lewis English and Owen Morgan support their domestic abuse awareness campaign by blacking their eyes (with makeup).

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of the help out there for victims of domestic abuse, bar staff across Mansfield bars will don face paint to mimic a black eye. Staff from town centre bars are taking part in Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Services (NIDAS) ‘It’s not just physical’ campaign. Sue Ready, director of service delivery and development at NIDAS said: “We here at NIDAS have seen a 30 per cent increase during 2018 from people asking for help who are professionals, which is rubbishing the age old stereotypical myth that abuse happens to marginalised communities. “ There shouldn’t’ be any shame in talking about being a victim of domestic abuse, there are some secrets that we should be able to share.”

Jonathan Edwards, director of various bars including AndWhyNot and Industria , has been involved in the campaign from the start. He said: “This campaign is a great way to raise awareness and get people talking.“We wanted to do something provocative, and some people might not like it, but if it starts a conversation about domestic abuse, it’s a good thing.“We have safe areas in all of our venues, so if someone feels unsafe on a night out, they can tell a member of staff who will help them.

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"I want customers to feel safe no matter what their circumstances.”Jonathan’s bars also operate the ‘Ask Angela’ scheme, where anyone feeling uncomfortable on a date can ask a member of staff for ‘Angela’, and they will help you to leave discreetly. The campaign will take place from Friday February 15.

You can contact NIDAS on 01623 683250You can contact NIDAS on 01623 683250
You can contact NIDAS on 01623 683250

BARS TAKING PART

All bars that are members of the Mansfield association of licensed venues will be taking part, including: AndWhyNotCheeky MonkeyIndustria BarIllusionsCharters Arms The Brown CowThe SwanBowl in Hand The Royal Oak Cuckoo Birch Havanas Kings ArmsA full list can be seen on malvonline.com/venues

NIDAS

NIDAS are a small, friendly and independent local charity working across Mansfield and Ashfield in Nottinghamshire. They offer a family based approach for people who are living with or have experienced any form of domestic violence or abuse. They have a team of highly experienced and qualified workers who have supported thousands of families to live a life free from harm.

If you or anyone you know needs some advice, support and guidance then please get in touch with. Trained staff are here to listen and know how hard it is to make that first contact but will be waiting for when the time is right.

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NIDAS is not a crisis support service, instead focusing on intervention and prevention at the earliest stage possible enabling families to live healthy, happy and safe lives. I

If you require immediate support, please contact the following for advice:

Nottinghamshire 24 hour freephone helpline: 0808 800 0340

You can find out more about the support NIDAS offers here

The 24-hour national domestic violence freephone helpline: 0808 2000 247