Congleton Town Council’s White Ribbon Campaign Video was featured in the national round-up of the 2024 Campaign by White Ribbon UK.
The video, produced by local company Prickly Peach Films, features many local people, mostly men and boys, describing the extent of sexual harassment and violence and why ‘It Starts With Men’ to challenge and eradicate men’s violence against women.
The 90-second film includes Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price, Congleton MP Sarah Russell, members of the Police and Fire & Rescue Services, Congleton business owners, students from Congleton Sixth Form, Councillors including Town Mayor Kay Wesley, and local White Ribbon Ambassadors. It concludes ‘Together, we can eradicate violence against women and girls’, and this segment was used as part of the national White Ribbon UK video that thanked groups around the country for their participation in the 2024 campaign.
The video was launched on social media on 25 November 2024, White Ribbon Day, the first day of ‘16 days of activism’ to challenge gender-based violence.
During the 16 days, the White Ribbon flag flew from the Town Hall and ribbons were tied on lampposts in the town centre. The White Ribbon team ran a number of events including a street stall, a ‘drop-in’ session in the Town Hall, and presentations at Congleton High School to students from Years 10 to 13.
Cllr Richard Walton, Chair of the Congleton Town Council Community Committee and a White Ribbon Ambassador, said: “We had really good engagement with the community during this year’s campaign. A new activity for us this year was a ‘pub crawl’ – a tour of some of the local hostelries in which we chatted to the staff and regulars about the issues. We were very pleased with the reception. Lots of people made their White Ribbon Promise and the pubs took our posters and beermats which encourage people to make their promise and challenge sexist behaviours.
“Of course most men are not violent at all, but all men can be part of the solution by becoming White Ribbon Ambassadors and active bystanders, calling out poor behaviour in their peers and demonstrating positive masculinity and respect.”
Ms Heidi Thurland, Headteacher at Congleton High School, reflected on the school’s role in the campaign: “This is the start of something truly significant for Congleton High School and our community. We believe in making a meaningful, positive impact on our community. By working closely with White Ribbon and the council, we can help drive awareness around ending violence against women and girls and contribute to the creation of a safer, more respectful society.”
During 2024 the Congleton Town Council White Ribbon Working Group helped the National Association of Local Councils, also a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, to build a toolkit to support its members becoming White Ribbon Councils. Now almost 100 borough, town and parish councils have done so, including Crewe and Winsford in Cheshire East.
Congleton Town Mayor and White Ribbon Champion Cllr Kay Wesley, commented: “We have shared ideas with Winsford and Crewe, and continue to connect with others around the country and learn from them, as a member of the NALC White Ribbon Steering Committee.
“In this year’s campaign we were particularly impressed by the students who took part in the film and those who came to make their White Ribbon promise after our workshops. They felt strongly that girls, and everyone, should be free to go about their business without fear of being attacked. We have also had several members of the public who told us they were survivors of domestic or sexual violence and they were very glad Congleton was supporting the White Ribbon Campaign.”
Individuals can make their promise at any time online at: www.whiteribbon.org.uk. If any organisations, clubs or employers are interested in having a talk, please email info@congleton-tc.gov.uk. (For support in Cheshire East with Sexual or Domestic Violence call 0300 123 5101.)
