DEMONSTRATORS chanted, blew whistles and banged pots to raise awareness of their drive to end violence against women.

Members of Brighton based domestic abuse charity Rise and other activists stopped people in their paths as they marched from The Level to Old Steine shouting: “People of Brighton we say no, domestic abuse has got to go.”

Yesterday marked the start of 16 days of the campaign Activism Against Gender-Based Violence across the country.

Members of Rise co-ordinated their “drum out abuse march” to draw attention to the toll of domestic violence in the UK and abroad.

Jo Geoff, chief executive, said: “One in three women in the world are affected by domestic abuse.

“One in four are affected in the UK. About 90 per cent of domestic abuse cases we come across are women and girls.

“We are demonstrating to say that we don’t want to keep silent about this.

“It’s happening in your neighbourhood and on the streets. It’s affecting your family and your friends.”

Jo said the use of pots and pans at the demonstration linked back to the 18th century practice of “rough music” when villagers would surround the house of a known abuser and bang pots and pans to shame them into change.

Some campaigners yesterday were dressed in orange to support this year’s United Nations theme of “orange the world”, which stands for a brighter future free from domestic abuse.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Julie Cattell volunteers for Rise and gave a speech at the beginning of the march.

She said: “I can’t believe some of the cases that have come to Rise for domestic abuse.

“I have been so taken aback by what they do and I want to support Rise in every way possible.”

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas apologised for not being able to make the event but said: “I will continue to make loud and clear that I oppose the cuts to domestic abuse services.

“Women should not be silenced when across the UK 85 per cent of young women, and nearly half of all women, report being sexually harassed in public places.

“In Brighton, Rise do such brilliant work but financial pressure and cuts to local authority budgets threatens to undermine the vital work taking place in our communities.

“I am sure that everyone taking part in the event today will make lots of noise banging their drums, pots and pans. And I will continue to bang my drum and use my voice in Parliament to lobby for change.”