Raising awareness of violence against women
Lancashire Constabulary and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group have also been accredited as part of the drive to educate and raise awareness of violence against women, and to engage men in the debate around the issue.
Speaking at a celebration and training event for White Ribbon Ambassadors, Clive Grunshaw said: “I am delighted to see the commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign from partners across Lancashire. I have supported the campaign since I first took office and I am proud to have led Lancashire to become a White Ribbon County in that time.
“Every week two women are killed by their current or former partner in England and Wales and many more experience abuse on a daily basis, often in front of their children. This has to stop. We have to come together to let perpetrators know that their behaviour is totally unacceptable and to inform victims that support is available for them to break that cycle and to get out of these relationships.~
“Today’s Ambassador training is just one event taking place during the White Ribbon Campaign’s 16 Days of Action. I will be opening the Domestic Abuse in Lancashire Conference with over 160 delegates on Tuesday and have already supported a domestic abuse training session for Lancashire Victim Services.”
“I have commissioned Lancashire Victim Services to ensure that specialist support is available for anyone who has experienced domestic abuse. Making sure that victims can get the support they need when they need it is so important and I would urge anyone affected to contact the service.”
Other activities are taking place across the county with Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Fylde Borough Council flying the White Ribbon flag. Accrington Stanley players have pledged their support and large white ribbons are displayed in public areas around Lancashire inviting the public to pledge their support by signing them.
Supporters of the White Ribbon Campaign pledge to never commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women and girls.
Chris Green from White Ribbon Campaign UK said: “Involving the majority of men in speaking out and challenging sexual harassment and inappropriate language and behaviour is how we change the culture. To have co-ordinated activity across the whole county is the perfect way to build a campaign to end the current epidemic of violence which results in 6 kids in every class being a witness of violence.
“It is men’s responsibility to speak out because 90% of interpersonal violence is committed by men on women, because women’s organisations want men to take responsibility for taking action and because some men listen better when it is men they know providing the message.”
