Congleton Town Council’s White Ribbon Group is planning its annual 16-day campaign starting with White Ribbon Day on Saturday 25 November.
The White Ribbon movement engages men specifically to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that lead to men’s violence against women.
Congleton Town Council is a White Ribbon Accredited organisation with an objective of ending men’s violence against women and all gender-based violence and abuse in Congleton. The White Ribbon Group will be on street stalls at the Christmas Lights Switch-on on Friday 24 November and again at the Maker’s Market on Saturday 25 November.
The Group consists of Town Councillors, Council Officers, and Volunteers from the community who are (male) White Ribbon Ambassadors.
This year the theme for White Ribbon Day is to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls, so that they may live their lives free from the fear of violence.
Violence experienced by women and girls takes many forms. Some behaviours and words may seem ‘harmless’ but normalising them ignores the short- and long-term effects on women and can lead to more extreme violence.
Chair of the Town Council’s White Ribbon Group Cllr Richard Walton said: “Since becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador I’ve become so much more aware of the spectrum of violence against women and girls, so much of which is hidden and unreported. Sadly, these crimes often increase around Christmas-time. Our White Ribbon Campaign says a better way is possible, and this cannot be accepted. Culture change doesn’t happen overnight, but we can end men’s violence against women and girls in our lifetimes.”
The Congleton White Ribbon Ambassadors are asking people to take the promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women or any gender-based violence.
White Ribbon Ambassador and Congleton Town Council Chief Officer David McGifford said: “We now have 12 Ambassadors in Congleton and hundreds of people have made their White Ribbon promise. The White Ribbon Flag will fly from the Town Hall and White Ribbons will adorn the lampposts in the town centre to remind everyone that we are aiming to end violence and abuse this White Ribbon Day.”
Chair of the Community Committee, and White Ribbon Champion Cllr Kay Wesley, commented: “We are seeing the impact of the White Ribbon campaign in Congleton. Every time we have a stall or give a presentation, we have people come and thank us for this work because they or someone they know now feels empowered to seek help with sexual violence or domestic abuse. It has been particularly good to hear students at our high schools talk about how they would call out harassment and sexist behaviours, and see them making their White Ribbon promise.”
In addition to the outdoor promotion there will be a social media campaign featuring videos of Ambassadors, Police Officers and young people.
Individuals can make their promise at the White Ribbon Stall on 24/2 November, or at any time online at www.whiteribbon.org.uk. If any organisations, clubs or employers are interested gaining their own accreditation as White Ribbon organisations, please contact the team via info@congleton-tc.gov.uk and a member of the White Ribbon Group will be pleased to talk to you about the process.
(For support in Cheshire East with Sexual or Domestic Violence call 0300 123 5101.)
