White Ribbon Ambassadors’ message is ‘It starts with men’

Congleton Town Council’s White Ribbon Group is preparing for the annual ’16 days of activism’ to end violence against women and girls.

It's starting on White Ribbon Day, 25 November, and ending on International Human Rights Day, 10 December.

This year the theme for White Ribbon Day is to #ItStartsWithMen to end violence against women and girls. 

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 and has a White Ribbon Group consisting of councillors, officers and members of the public, who are White Ribbon Ambassadors or Champions.

The White Ribbon Group will be on a street stall in the town centre on 23 November from 10am-2pm to encourage shoppers to make their White Ribbon promise to ‘never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women or any gender-based violence’.  The team will also be offering coffee and cake at a White Ribbon day ‘Drop-in’ at Blueys in the town hall on 25 November from 10am-2pm. Then on 4 December the Ambassadors and Champions will be visiting pubs and bars in the town centre to talk about the campaign and share beermats and posters.

Chair of the Town Council’s Community Committee and White Ribbon Ambassador, Cllr Richard Walton said:

“We have had a good year of engagement with the campaign, including visiting high schools, social clubs, the Mother’s Union, and for the first time, primary schools. We would really like sports clubs, businesses and other organisations to consider becoming White Ribbon Supporter organisations this year. Please get in touch or come along to our stall or drop-in if you’d like to know more. We are happy to come and give a talk any time.”

The team has worked with Congleton Production Company Prickly Peach Films on a short video that will be released on 25 November. It features Ambassadors, Police and Fire Officers, the PCC Dan Price, local MP Sarah Russell, business owners and sixth form students, explaining the problem White Ribbon aims to address, and that the solution starts with men.

Congleton Town Mayor and White Ribbon Champion Cllr Kay Wesley, commented:

“We are excited to share the film with everyone on White Ribbon Day. Many thanks to Prickly Peach for making it, and to all the people who took part. With support from such a diverse group of people, we really are seeing the impact of the White Ribbon campaign in Congleton. Domestic abuse arrest rates have gone up, perhaps because people feel more empowered to come forward, knowing they will be believed and supported.”

White Ribbon Ambassador and Congleton Town Council Chief Officer David McGifford said:

“We now have 15 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.”

Individuals can make their promise at the White Ribbon events on 23 or 25 November, or at any time online at:

www.whiteribbon.org.uk.

If any organisations, clubs or employers are interested in becoming White Ribbon supporter 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