A group of placard bearing women, dressed in black, staged a peaceful demonstration against gender based violence, in the vicinity of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation today.

The protest is part of an islandwide initiative arranged by various human rights organizations, which called for citizens to wear black and keep the headlights of their cars on today, to display a stance against violence.

The group in Westmoreland also indicted that a trauma hotline and foundation will be launched soon, to support men and women who find themselves in abusive relationships.

Among the protesters was Shelly Gayle Mitchell, a victim of domestic abuse.

Ms. Mitchell is urging anyone who is being abused, to seek help.

Meantime, today’s demonstration against gender based violence was supported by some politicians from Clarendon and Manchester.

The demonstrations took place in Spaldings and Mandeville.

PNP constituency caretaker for North West Clarendon Richard Azan, and Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell, wore black in a show of solidarity with some placard bearing residents, who took to the streets today, to call attention to the issue of violence, being perpetrated against men, women and children.

Mr. Azan said Jamaica is at a breaking point regarding violence.

And, speaking in today’s sitting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation monthly meeting, Mayor Mitchell said the number of women and children who have been murdered since the start of the year, is appalling.

Mayor Mitchell lamented that too many of society’s innocents are being targeted, adding that there needs to be greater effort to stem the problem.