Pendle News Room

“We’ve timed the launch of the bin wagon message to coincide with White Ribbon Day on Monday 25 November,” explained Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s Corporate Director.

Philip is a White Ribbon Ambassador and the Council was awarded White Ribbon status two years ago when Lancashire became the first White Ribbon county in the UK.
Pervez Akhtar from Pendle Council’s Localities Team is also an Ambassador for the campaign. He said:

“This is the start of 16 days of action across the UK.

“Here, the Pendle Domestic Abuse Forum is holding an interactive event at Nelson Town Hall focusing on the voices of people affected by domestic abuse,” he explained.

And the bin wagon message will stay up through Christmas and New Year when there is an increase in domestic violence across the UK.
This year, the theme of White Ribbon Day is creating a future without male violence against women, with a focus on engaging with young men and boys.

“The pledge we are urging people to sign is a promise never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women,” explained Pervez.

Women are four times more likely than men to have experienced sexual assault by a partner in the last year and more than a million women were victims of domestic abuse, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
The White Ribbon pledge can be signed via www.whiteribbon.org.uk  with the option to become more actively involved in the campaign, for example through a sports group or Cub Scout group.

Last year Colne and Nelson Rugby Club, Trawden Athletics Club, Colne FC. Pendle Park Run and the Pendle Charity Football League pledged their commitment to the campaign.

“It’s about engaging with men and boys to challenge behaviour that leads to harassment, abuse and violence when they see it, and to promote a culture of equality and respect,” said Pervez.

“We cannot ignore the fact that one in four women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and a similar number suffer from sexual assault or stalking,” he explained.
“The majority of these incidents are committed by men, but men doing their bit as White Ribbon Ambassadors can help bring issues out into the open and work to prevent it,” he said.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence, or who knows someone who is, can contact Lancashire Police on 01772 614444 or 999 in an emergency. 
People can also contact:
•    Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative Helpline - (01282) 726000 or email
pdvi@p-a-c.org.uk 
•    The Lookout for children experiencing domestic abuse can be contacted on 01282 619192 or by text 07543 646 959 or email the-lookout@p-a-c.org.uk 
•    Lancashire Victim Services can be called on 0300 323 0085 
•    The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline number is 0808 2000 247. 
And men who have been violent and want to get help tackling their abusive behaviour can contact Respect on 0808 802 4040 or visit www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Pendle Council has also provided White Ribbon pledge messages which are being shown on screens at Burnley FC in the Community’s Leisure Box at Northlight in Brierfield.

“This is a place where hundreds of young people and children come to play football and take part in a range of activities including using the fantastic new climbing facilities,” Pervez explained.

Audrey Drinkwater, also from Pendle Council’s Localities Team, said:
“Women supporters of the campaign can become a White Ribbon Champion, like me,” said Audrey.

“All organisations can become White Ribbon Accredited and make the public commitment that they are taking action to end male violence against women,” she said.

Any organisations, sports teams or Pendle businesses who’d like to get involved should contact Audrey Drinkwater on (01282) 661339 or email audrey.drinkwater@pendle.gov.uk  

And Pendle Council is developing a White Ribbon Action Plan which includes encouraging more staff and councillors in the organisation to become Ambassadors and Champions.

“Together we can make a real difference,” she said.
 
According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales year ending March 2018, an estimated 7.9% of women (1.3 million) experienced domestic abuse in the last year.
Female victims of partner abuse were more likely than male victims to experience non-physical abuse (emotional, financial).