Andrew has welcomed North Lincolnshire Council being presented with a Town and County White Ribbon Award by the White Ribbon Campaign in recognition of the Council’s efforts to support the charity’s campaign to end violence against women.
Around 1.2 million women are victims of domestic abuse each year here in the UK and locally in North Lincolnshire, Humberside Police respond to between 190 and 250 calls every month.
The White Ribbon Campaign UK works with men to speak out about male violence against women and challenge negative gender stereotypes which underpin abuse. The charity celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and over 70 public sector organisations have achieved White Ribbon status by adopting an approved action plan to engage men.
As well as working to develop large organisations the campaign also works with sports clubs, community groups and many others. There is a strong ambassador programme, which supports men to take specific actions to challenge domestic abuse in their communities and networks.
The White Ribbon Town and County Award is a nationally recognised award that demonstrates North Lincolnshire’s commitment to the White Ribbon campaign and to reducing domestic abuse locally. The Council will continue the pledge to support the work of the White Ribbon Campaign and ‘never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women’.
The Council has already taken many steps to get the Town and County Award and this work will continue, with even more positive work planned:
- Nominate at least four male ambassadors across North Lincolnshire to drive the campaign and act as champions.
- Encourage all Council staff to sign the White Ribbon pledge.
- Involve and encourage local communities and individuals to hold awareness events.
- Encourage local sports clubs to support White Ribbon and apply for the White Ribbon Sports Club Award.
- Engage with music venues, pubs and clubs and encourage them to participate in White Ribbon.
- Work with schools and colleges and encourage them to participate and gain the White Ribbon Schools Award.
- Implement a domestic abuse policy for all Council employees.
- Provide access to information and advice on all aspects of domestic abuse.
- Provide information and support for victims, children and perpetrators.
In 2013, the Council joined forces with Humberside Police and Scunthorpe United Football Club to stand to together to help put a stop to violence against women and promote respectful relationships.
Andrew, who is a White Ribbon Ambassador, says. “I’m pleased that North Lincolnshire Council has received this award in recognition of the work being carried out with the White Ribbon Campaign to prevent violence against women and girls locally. I’ve worked closely with the charity for a number of years and it is shocking that thousands of women continue to be victims of domestic or sexual violence each year.
“I’m proud to be a White Ribbon Ambassador and welcome North Lincolnshire Council reaffirming its commitment to continue efforts locally to provide positive role models and implement the changes necessary to help prevent this violence.”
“We recognise that men are also victims of domestic violence and while the vast majority are women, violence against both men and women is completely unacceptable. If anyone is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or aware of someone who is, please report it to the police. There is support available and we need to work together to make a stand locally and say never to domestic violence!”
For more information about the work North Lincolnshire Council is doing with the White Ribbon Campaign you can visit the North Lincolnshire Safer Neighbourhoods website: http://www.saferneighbourhoods.net/domestic-abuse/our-actions-for-white-ribbon-c/
Picture - Stewart Atkinson, Councillor Richard Hannigan, Councillor Tony Ellerby, Andrew Percy MP, Deputy Council Leader Councillor Rob Waltham and Ikram Butt.
