Beer Mats and Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse messages are on display on beer mats in thousands of pubs within the North Yorkshire areas of Thirsk, Northallerton and Easingwold.
The beer mats all have a picture of a fist with the words ‘hit me, kick me, punch me, love me” printed alongside. Details of a help line are also available.
The strong message printed on the beer mats was distributed in the lead up to Valentines Day on February 14th to help curb violence in the home.
The campaign is being run by Hambleton District who is urging victims to contact help and not suffer in silence.
Domestic abuse officer Linda Ashman said “Abuse can affect any family at any time. It can be physical, emotional, threatening and intimidating – and it can destroy lives. “We hope they help people who are vulnerable and haven’t asked for help. They list all the contacts they need”.
A quarter of all women and one in six men are affected by domestic abuse according to national statistics. Two women are killed by current or former partners each week.
Other Uses of Beer Mats
Beer mats are read by the thousands and this form of advertising is now being used on a national scale for a vast array of drink related messages in the hope they will hit home the message.
A series of beer mats which feature young people who are drunk are being distributed to alcohol retailers and off licenses in Leominster in a campaign to tackle underage drinking and anti social behavior.
Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership believe the problem of anti social behavior while under the influence of alcohol is being fueled by adults who buy drink for them. The messages on the beer mats are aimed at the awareness of supplying alcohol to underage drinkers.
Geoff Hughes, Chairman of Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, said: "Underage drinking is a problem that can have serious consequences for people in our communities.
"Under age drinkers can face serious health issues, as well as putting themselves and others at risk of accidents and injuries. The associated anti social behavior can also lead to noise and vandalism and can have a serious impact on the quality of life for local people.
"We want adults to realise that they have a crucial part to play in tackling this problem and taking responsibility for the welfare of young people and the community as a whole."
ASBOs
Pictures of five men who had been given Asbos for being violent and intimidating pubs and clubs were featured on beer mats last year in the Stockton borough. The ages of these men ranged from 19 to 36!
The twenty-five thousand beer mats were created by the Safer Stockton Partnership which works with the Pubwatch organisation of licensees and the scheme is the first of its kind to advertise faces of those who are barred from Pubwatch scheme pubs.
Beer Mats and Their Uses
These multi-coloured pieces of cardboard made for mopping up spilt drinks have been used since the 1800’s in a variety of ways. Frustrated or bored drinkers painstakingly peel them apart or use them in a game of ‘flip’ or ‘hangman’. Shopping list or maps are drawn on them, while on the Continent they are used to keep track of your drinks by the barmaid marking them each time she serves you fresh drinks. All of these are in fact illegal as the European Parliament has ruled that no beer mat should be used twice due to unhygienic reasons.
Advertising on beer mats range from Alcohol to Cigars, sporting events to quiz competitions and to some are a highly collectable item with some collections running into the thousands.
Most of us read the beer mat that our drink is resting on, some with little interest to the majority, but if this is the way ahead to make awareness of underage drinking, missing people, domestic violence and violent yobs stand out more, its bound to be fully support by all!