A FLASHMOB is due to give an impromptu performance in Yate Shopping Centre this Valentine’s Day to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Staff from South Gloucestershire Council’s children’s centre in Yate will join members of the community for the spontaneous dance show this Thursday, February 14 (12.30pm) outside Boswell’s café in Four Season’s Square.

The event is part of a global campaign called One Billion Rising, which aims to help put a stop to violence against women and girls through a day of action.

Emma Britt, who works at Yate Children’s Centre and is organising the shopping centre event, said: “Domestic abuse effects one in every three women and many suffer in silence and feel alone in their pain.

“I hope this event will raise awareness of this campaign and the support available to women and girls locally. It is vital to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to support victims in disclosing their experiences and to seek the support they need to stop the violence and abuse.”

The one-off dance will be performed by council workers, members of the charity Survive and anyone at the shopping centre who would like to join in. A music track entitled Break the Chain has been specially written for the event.

Anna Smith, chief executive of domestic abuse charity Survive, said: “Survive is proud to be involved in this creative and effective event which will raise awareness of the reality of everyday violence towards women and girls.

“We hope the action of One Billion Rising will inspire those who can to work towards changing the stark 1:3 statistics, reducing incidents of violence and improving services for those affected.”