Hull City Council is marking One Punch Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 16 September.
Over the last five years, there have been 82 deaths because of one punch attacks across the UK, including Hull man Scott Akester. His devastated family subsequently set up the One Punch Hull & East Yorkshire (OPH&EY) charity, and are taking the opportunity of the designated week to raise awareness of the risks and trauma that can be caused by “one punch” attacks.
By so doing, OPH&EY hope that the focus will help change people’s behaviours and save lives.
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The council is supporting the following activities which will take place during One Punch Awareness Week with:
- Council buildings across the city centre will be lit orange between Monday 16 September to Wednesday 18 September in recognition of the week and the charity OPH&EY.
- Stalls with information will be on display at a number of Council Offices across the week, for staff to learn more about the risks and have the opportunity to share valuable information with their family and friends
- On Wednesday 18 September at Hull History Centre HCC staff across Neighbourhoods & Housing will have the opportunity to hear the charities One Punch Hull talk which is delivered across schools and colleges in the area.
- Friday 20 September the charity is encouraging everyone to take part in their “Wear Orange Day” to show your support for the charity’s aims. Whether you wear orange or not, OPH&EY is asking council staff and those across the city who will be taking part to donate just £1 to help them continue their work in the community. Donations can be made by contacting the charity at onepunchhull@gmail.com.
One-punch assaults, also known as ”king punches” and “sucker punches”, are characterised by a single severe blow to the head causing the victim to lose consciousness, resulting in a secondary impact between the head and surrounding environment. Such impacts may result in brain injury leading to fatality or permanent neurological impairment. Whilst the number of fatalities are recorded, there are no statistics for the number of people left with brain injuries.
Reports of one punch attacks often indicate that that excessive alcohol lead to such incident, Many of these incidents involve young men and occur in bars, and campaigns to raise awareness about responsible drinking have been initiated.
Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council said, “No family should every have to go through the pain and anguish experienced through this sort of action. I cannot imagine the horror and shock experienced by the Akester family. Attacks like this which take a life or inflict life changing injuries are totally unacceptable and, until eradicated, must face the full force of criminal law.”
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Scott’s mum and founder of the charity Debbie Akester said, “Our vision is for everyone in Hull and the surrounding areas to hear our story, and be able to share the risks far and wide. Ultimately, we aim to change behaviours and prevent young lives such as Scott’s from being taken too soon and stop other families going through what we have during the last two years.”
Scott was 31 when he died in November 2022. Michael Pearson was jailed on June 29 last year for seven-and-a-half years after he was convicted at Hull Crown Court of manslaughter.
From Tuesday 8 October to Thursday 10 October, Hull Truck is hosting “One Punch”, a play based on the family’s experience. It recounts how a night out with mates gets out of hand, how a single blow can alter so many lives, how mates become enemies and asks how we can stop it happening to others.
Tickets are available from Hull Truck hulltruck.co.uk
