An ecumenical service to raise awareness of gender based violence is taking place on Thursday 26 November at 11am at St Columba's Scottish Episcopal Church, Aubery Crescent, Largs.
The UN 16 days of activism against Gender Violence are from 25th November to 10 December.
It has been commemorated by Largs Churches Together for the last two years, with a special service held at St. Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Largs.
Minister Rev. Gordon Fyfe has helped to put the service together with Hilary Moran. 
Hilary said: "I have also been supported by the Mothers’ Union, a worldwide Christian mission organisation, who are calling for ZERO women to be affected by gender violence this year.
"Gender violence cover many aspects from physical violence, rape, mental and psychological abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and a few more instances.
"I feel it is so important to raise the awareness of this issue as the abuse is nearly always hidden and out of site. Women and young people who are living in abusive relationships might gain strength in reading about our service, by knowing that people are praying for them and campaigning for laws to change and bring prosecutions. A few people have said to me how welcome it was to have a service to raise this hidden issue, more people should be outspoken to let men know it isn’t right."
Hilary points out that the statistics are 'horrifying in Scotland' - one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every 10 minutes in Scotland (Scot.gov. 2009).
In one year there were 7,000 reports of sexual offences (2011-2012).
At least 1 in 5 women in Scotland will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Innocent children live in these families so are very much affected by their experience. One such local story I have heard since I advertised the first service is Mary’s story, here is a glimpse of it.
“I was 10 years old when mum was diagnosed with cancer; she died when I was 14 years old. Beatings were for the tiniest of mistakes; for me not managing my maths, not putting enough sugar in his tea, curtains not being pulled so the amount of fabric was the same both sides, not hearing him the first time he called. Life got so bad at home I ran away at 16 years of age and I tried to get custody of my little brother, but didn’t win, my father was clever and extremely articulate, I was told my case was hopeless because of our background –nice family, big house etc.
"In my 30’s a routine chest x ray was taken and the consultant asked me if I’d been in a car accident, because he could see at least 17 fractures. You can move on from domestic violence, life turned around for me, God was always there in the darkest scariest days.”
There will be a collection at the service for North Ayrshire Women’s Aid (WA) who support women and children who have left their home. Contact details; North Ayrshire Women’s Aid 01294 602424.  Domestic Abuse helpline 0800 027 1234.