Safe City Accreditation Awarded to the Lisburn Castlereagh area

February 18, 2021

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce that its council area is officially now a ‘Safe City’.  It was awarded Safe City Charter status by Safe Places Advocates, supported by Onus.

This accolade recognises true partnership working across statutory organisations, local churches and businesses to offer support to anyone in Lisburn Castlereagh affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Mayor, Councillor Nicholas Trimble, speaking about this new award, said: “The council is proud to have consecutively received three platinum (2017-2020) and two gold (2015 and 2016) workplace awards for our work on domestic violence and abuse. 

“To ensure the safety of individuals affected by domestic violence and abuse we wanted to work with other organisations to offer a wider network of safe places within the Lisburn Castlereagh area.  These partnerships meant our area received Safe City Charter status.  I would like to thank everyone involved in this project.”

Councillor Nathan Anderson, Environmental Services Chairman, added: “Through the work of our Environmental Services Team and our Policing and Community Safety Partnership we strive to reduce the incidents of domestic violence and abuse in our area.  It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious or cultural background. There are many forms of domestic abuse and children in the family can also be affected.

“As a ‘Safe City’ we are saying the Lisburn Castlereagh community has a zero tolerance for domestic abuse. Therefore through the work of our safe city partners: 10 churches, 32 bronze, four silver and three platinum Safe local employers, we can help reduce levels locally.”

The council’s management team and elected representatives have also signed the White Ribbon Charter.  This is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or stay silent on domestic abuse.

If you would like to be part of our safe city network please contact us by email: ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk