Council supports White Ribbon campaign

People of Shropshire are all invited to wear a white ribbon to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

Over the next fortnight (started 25 November 2011) Shropshire Council will be standing together with other organisations to support an international campaign to end violence against women.

The White Ribbon Campaign was created by men for men.  It creates the opportunity for men all around the world to take a stand together against the violence committed by men towards women and girls.

Men and women, young and old can all speak out to create a safer community, a safer Shropshire, based on equality and respect by everybody for everybody.

This year the domestic abuse forums have chosen to take the issue into the workplace and there will be displays, posters and ribbons in organisations across Shropshire.  Staff will be on hand to issue ribbons.

Shrewsbury Town Football Club have continued their support, raising awareness amongst staff, players and supporters, and making an announcement at the home match on Saturday 26 November about the campaign.

In Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre, volunteers were providing ribbons and information.  They were joined by the Women’s Institute who, for the second year running, who provided White Ribbon cakes.  At Royal Shrewsbury Hospital staff and volunteers were also on hand to talk with and give out white ribbons in the run up to the campaign.

Last week also saw the launch of the White Ribbon Campaign Freedom Shrophire website. The website is designed to enable people who live and work in Shropshire to access relevant and up-to-date information on domestic abuse.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for crime reduction and community safety, said:

“Domestic violence can take many different forms.  It can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse.  This campaign is not only about asking people to show their support by wearing a ribbon, but also challenging people to speak out and condemn all forms of physical and verbal abuse against women.

“We would like to thank everyone for the support they have given the campaign and for helping to raise the profile of White Ribbon Day.”

For more information about the campaign, please contact Shropshire Council’s community safety and welfare team on 01743 252258 or visit www.freedomshropshire.org.uk.

Notes

Why is violence against girls and women a man’s issue?

• Men have wives, daughters, sisters, mothers and friends who may experience violence and abuse
• Almost half of the women in the UK will experience domestic violence, sexual abuse or stalking in their lifetime
• Two women a week die as a result of domestic abuse in the UK 
• One in four women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime
• Two women a week are killed in the UK by their partner or ex-partner
• Every year, one million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse – nearly 20,000 women a week
• 40 per cent of young people have experienced domestic violence in their relationships
• One in five teenage girls has been raped by a teenage boyfriend
• Nearly one million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year in the UK