Northumberland’s zero-tolerance approach accredited
25 Nov 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Northumberland County Council has received White Ribbon accreditation following approval by the organisation of its three-year plan and zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse and sexual violence.
In early 2021 the County Council made the decision to work towards White Ribbon accreditation to cement, as an authority, its commitment to ending domestic abuse and sexual violence in the county.
Councillor Wendy Pattinson, cabinet member with responsibility for Adults’ Wellbeing, said: “It is really important that if we want to make change in the county and end domestic abuse and sexual violence we must too as an authority lead the way by asking our officers and councillors to make the promise and become ambassadors or champions.
“We need people in our organisations and communities to call out abusive and sexist behaviour among their friends, colleagues and communities to promote a culture of equality and respect.
“So, if we can pave the way for others to do this that is a huge step forward.”
The White Ribbon Organisation is a charity that works to encourage everyone, and especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
White Ribbon Ambassadors are men who engage with other men and boys in their day to day lives to call out abusive and sexist behaviour and White Ribbon Champions are women who play an essential role by encouraging men to get involved and in finding opportunities to inspire and inform others through presentations, conversations and social media.
Organisations across the county who wish to get involved and join the county council’s pledge to end domestic abuse can get in touch here
nland.uk/WhiteRibbonNorthumberland for more information.
This comes as we head into the 16-days of activism against gender-based violence - an annual international campaign that begins on Thursday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Friday 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The Council and Northumberland Fire and Rescue will be raising the White ribbon Flag on 25 November as a representation of our commitment and recent accreditation.