Men, women and children shine light for White Ribbon Day

Members of the public wore ribbons and used lights on their mobile phones and torches to show their support on November 25.

The vigils were also held in memory of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped and murdered whilst walking home in South London in March this year.

PC Mike Taggart, of Rhyl, is a Strategic Domestic Abuse Officer in North Wales Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit. He has supported victims of domestic abuse throughout his career.

The officer was just 15 when his mother Donna Crist was killed by his stepfather in 1997.

"We had a great turnout for the Light the Night Vigil at the Rhyl Events Arena, even with the rain," PC Taggart said.

"Our fire service colleagues also came along in support of the campaign.

"It was so heart-warming to see men, women and children all present wearing their white ribbons and shining their lights. The Bangor and Wrexham Vigils also had a great turn out and it really filled me with pride that this was all happening at the same time across North Wales.

"Those that couldn't make it lit candles in support and shared the photos on social media.

"It really reiterated that this is an issue people want to get behind and I’m so pleased the message is spreading."

White Ribbon UK is the leading charity that aims to end male violence against women by engaging with men and boys to make a stand against violence. Their mission is for all men to fulfil the White Ribbon promise to never commit, excuse or remain silence about male violence against women.

Every year nearly two million people in the UK suffer from some form of domestic abuse. 1.3 million female victims (8.2 per cent of the population) and 600,000 male victims (4 per dent of the population).

Throughout the UK, 130,000 children live in homes with high-risk domestic abuse.

PC Taggart added: "Thank you again to all those who braved the rain to stand in solidarity that we will not be bystanders to violence against women and girls."