Ending violence against women and girls is the council’s goal

25 Nov 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Northumberland County Council is calling on communities to unite as a team and end violence against women and girls. 

The council and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service raised the White Ribbon flag to support the global 16 Days of Action campaign which runs from today (November 25), International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to International Human Rights Day on December 10. 
 
Events will take place over the following 16 days to raise awareness of the support available for anyone experiencing gender-based violence or domestic abuse through the council’s Integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service provided by Harbour, NDAS, Acorns and Cygnus Support. 

The start of the campaign also falls in the same week as the start of the FIFA men's World Cup and the theme for 2022 is about coming together as a team to achieve #TheGoal.  

As part of the campaign, the council is calling on individuals, organisations, and businesses across the county to join it in making the White Ribbon Promise.  

Among those pledging support is Northumberland Football Leagues. Every weekend during the football season, Northumberland Football Leagues presides over 600 fixtures involving 1,400 teams, 15,000 players and 1,200 coaches.  

On Saturday and Sunday, the organisation will be showing its support for White Ribbon and encouraging others to make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence towards women and girls. 

Cllr Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adults' Wellbeing, said: “One in four women and one in six men world-wide will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Domestic abuse has long lasting impacts on health and wellbeing. But we want all survivors of domestic abuse to know - you are not alone.  

“Here in Northumberland, there are lots of brilliant people and organisations here to support you. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing lots of information about them, so that everyone knows who to contact if they need support.  

“The council is proud to support White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Action as we want Northumberland to be a safe place for everyone. 

“We hope that others will join us and pledge action on White Ribbon Day and during the 16 Days in your workplace, school, sports club, local pub and bars, and communities. 

“Together we can unite as team and to work towards ending violence against women and girls.” 

Graham Reiter, Joint Interim Director of Children’s Services and Director of Children’s Social Care at the council and Chair of the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, said: “Responding to domestic abuse is an absolute priority for us as a council as part of our commitment to keeping our residents safe and supported.  

“We are a White Ribbon accredited organisation, but responding to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is everyone’s business.”

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service White Ribbon Ambassador, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Graeme Binning,said: "Today it is really important to raise the flag and recognise that every day is this important.

"I aspire to be a male role model, to proudly wear my white ribbon as a reminder that as a male in the Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the County Council and as part of civic society, that violence against women in any form is something no one should remain silent on.

"Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service is proud to encourage making a positive difference to achieve equality and safety for women and girls."

#TheGoal highlights eleven traits that men and boys can nurture, each representing a player in a football team: ally, caring, empathetic, courageous, gentle, resilient, reliable, hopeful, principled, reflective, and supportive.  

Ian Coates, Vice Chair, Northumberland Football Leagues, said: “We are proud to join Northumberland County Council in supporting the White Ribbon Campaign. 

“We are passionate champions of women’s sport and have over 160 girls’ teams, 15 women’s teams along with female coaches and referees.  

“As an organisation, we believe it is really important to try our best to use sport to facilitate conversations about important issues like mental health and abuse as if it helps even just one person find the support they need, then it’s worth it.”  

What can you do? 

White Ribbon Day 2022 encourages 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. Join us and #MakeThePromise here. 

All organisations, large or small are able to become White Ribbon UK Accredited. Become a White Ribbon Supporter Organisation here.   

Help is available for anyone experiencing gender-based violence or domestic abuse through the specialists in the council’s Integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service provided by Harbour, NDAS, Acorns and Cygnus Support. 

Find out more about our services here.