A group of Bolton businesswomen and local experts highlighted the fight against domestic abuse in a prestigious visit to London’s Nehru Centre.

The Indian High Commission invited Gulnaz Brennan, who founded the SheInspires Awards and the SheInspires Foundation, to bring a group of women who champion this cause to the Colour Me Safe event.

The SheInspires’ movement is supporting the UN Secretary General’s “Orange the World” campaign to stop violence against women and young girls by creating Orange Champions.

These included Jenny Hyde, Associate Director of Stanmore Insurance in Little Lever, who spoke passionately about her commitment to the campaign at the meeting, which was live and broadcast.

Dawn Thornber, Operations Manager of Adullam Homes Housing Association, talked about the abuse survivors she supports at the Bolton organisation.

Louisa Herridge, a survivor of domestic abuse and a best-selling author, told how she was now on a mission to re-invent herself as a coach for other women to help them deal with PTSD, emotional burnout and complex trauma.

Zoe Barlow, Pastoral Manager of Bolton College, helped the audience to better understand the importance of being able to identify vulnerability in young people and of providing a hand to reach out to.

Indian dance expert, professor of Natyashastra (ancient arts) and an Orange Champion, Sohini Roychowdhury Dasgupta captivated the audience with an enthralling dance display.

Commented Gulnaz Brennan: “The panel discussion was great and I was really pleased with the audience reaction.

“This visit provided an opportunity both to showcase the work of our Orange Champions and to talk about domestic abuse. Nobody should suffer in silence – there is help and support out there.”