Hackney Council to mark White Ribbon Day, a day aimed at ending men’s violence against women
Next week Hackney Council will mark White Ribbon Day, a national campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse and the services available to those affected by it.
The Council has been granted White Ribbon accreditation ahead of the campaign day, with a commitment to engaging with men and boys locally to help end violence against women.
Thursday 25 November is White Ribbon Day – the largest global initiative to end male violence against women by calling on men to take action to make a difference. The day also marks the start of the ’16 days to end violence against women campaign. The ’16 Days of Activism’ will run from 25 November, UN International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. Hackney Council will be marking these important dates with a poster campaign and events.
The White Ribbon campaign was first initiated by a group of men in Canada and is now used to raise awareness of domestic violence around the world. The campaign encourages men to wear a white ribbon as a pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
Shocking statistics in the UK show that in the past 10 years out of all killings, more than 9 in 10 killers were men. As well as this, over the past year out of the total number of rapes, 98.5% of the rapists were identified as men. This highlights the importance of the White Ribbon campaign.
I am proud that Hackney Council has the White Ribbon Accreditation, we have a zero tolerance policy for violence against women and girls in our borough. No woman or girl should have to live with fear, there is no place for abuse or violence in our society. I call upon all men in Hackney to take the White Ribbon promise to never condone or stand for violence against any woman so that we can end violence against women once and for all.
As a borough, it is vital that we come together and speak out against male violence and abuse towards women and girls - which has come even more into focus after the horrific incidents reported in the news about the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa - alongside the sad fact that last year alone, 207 women were killed.
I have repeatedly spoken out as a male leader on this issue over the past year, so I welcome this accreditation and again I am proud to wear the white ribbon, and continue to call on all men to help make a difference by being prepared to call out harassment or misogyny when we see it - and if we witness abusive behaviour to get help by calling the police in an emergency or reporting incidents on 101.
We have to work together to send out a message of respect for all and bring an end to all abusive behaviours in our society.
Are you experiencing domestic abuse?
You can contact Hackney Council’s Domestic Abuse Intervention Service anonymously and get help to stop abusive behaviour on 020 8356 4458; dais@hackney.gov.uk or visit www.hackney.gov.uk/domestic-violence.
Are you a domestic abuser?
If you’re hurting someone, and want help stopping abusive behaviour you can call Respect on 0808 8024040 or visit their choose to stop website: www.respectphoneline.org.uk. The Council also operates a programme for those who perpetrate domestic abuse to help stop abusive behaviour, call us on 020 8356 4458 to access support.
Do you want to become a male ally?
Register your interest in becoming a male ally to women and girls and receive training. Or visit the Council’s campaign page to find out more about how you can get involved.