For White Ribbon Day 2017, members of the Safer Sandwell Partnership renewed their pledge to do everything within their power to eradicate violence against women and girls.

To mark White Ribbon Day 2017 (25 November), the Safer Sandwell Partnership is encouraging people to sign a pledge against violence and also promote the support that’s available to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

White Ribbon Day, also International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, launches 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

Sandwell Police commander Chief Superintendent Richard Baker, who chairs the Safer Sandwell Partnership Board, said: “We stand as one against violence – we are working closely together through our partnership to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence. I encourage everyone to sign the White Ribbon pledge.”

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “If you’re affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence, or know someone who is, there’s lots of support available here in Sandwell from Black Country Women’s Aid and other partners. Please don’t suffer in silence.”

 

White Ribbon Campaign

Go to the White Ribbon Campaign website to sign the pledge “never excuse, commit or remain silent about male violence against women”. You can also write your own pledge.

 

The Safer Sandwell Partnership

The Safer Sandwell Partnership Local Police and Crime Board has preventing and reducing domestic abuse and supporting victims as one of its top priorities. Organisations are working more closely to protect high-risk victims and their children.

Black Country Women’s Aid supports victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence from Sandwell, with support ranging from one-to-one advice to refuge accommodation. Find out more about our support services here.

Other recent partnership work includes training GP practices on how to spot and respond to domestic violence, having a domestic violence workers for each town, school talks on relationships and a behaviour change programme for perpetrators.

The partnership is also working to tackle so-called ‘hidden crimes’ such as modern slavery, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based abuse and female genital mutilation (FGM).

This article was re-posted from Sandwell Council