Congleton Town Council’s White Ribbon Group is planning almost three weeks of activities to spread the word about White Ribbon campaign this November and December. Activities start with the National White Ribbon Awareness Day on Wednesday 25th November and will finish with a stall in town on the 12th December.
This will be the first year that the Town Council will join in as an accredited organisation, having gained this prestigious award at the end of September 2020. The White Ribbon movement aims to eradicate male violence against women, asking people to take the pledge to promise never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
Cllr Robert Hemsley, who chairs the group in Congleton said: “Through November and December we will be working extra hard to raise the profile and messages associated with this important campaign. Domestic violence and abuse destroys people and families. Unfortunately the Christmas holidays is often a time when abuse escalates. In Congleton there were 87 reports of violence and sexual offences to the Police in September 2020. This needs to stop and our group aims to end all gender-based domestic and sexual violence, recognising that males can be victims too.”
Councillors will be raising the profile of the White Ribbon campaign on the National Awareness day by flying the White Ribbon flag from the Town Hall, decorating the town and putting out social media messages. On Thursday 26th November many staff and Councillors will be joining in a virtual White Ribbon Conference hosted by My Cheshire Without Abuse. The conference will contain five workshops from 10am – 1pm. People can register online for free tickets until 10am on the 18th November.
Pre-lockdown 2.0 the team had planned a stall at the now cancelled Makers Market on the 28th November. Instead the group will be in town on Saturday 12th December.
Cllr Kay Wesley, Chair of the Community and Environment Committee said: “This year with the COVID lockdowns, calls to domestic abuse helplines and websites have increased up to ten-fold as people have been trapped at home with their abuser. White Ribbon Day is more important than ever, and we ask the people of Congleton to join our fight to eradicate abuse and violence.”
Individuals can make their promise at any time online at www.whiteribbon.org.uk. If any organisations, clubs or employers are interested gaining their own accreditation please contact the White Ribbon team via info@congleton-tc.gov.uk and a member of the team will be pleased to talk to you about the process.
