The international White Ribbon Campaign, which launched today (November 25) and runs until December 10, asks its supporters to wear a white ribbon, sending a clear message that domestic abuse should never be condoned.
It also encourages men to promise to never commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women, with this year’s theme centring on #AllMenCan following the tragic murder of Sarah Everard in March and conversations this prompted.
Councillors and staff from Suffolk County Council made the promise and pledged their support today, along with the Police and Crime Commissioner, domestic abuse charities, and representatives from Suffolk Constabulary and the county’s Community Safety Partnerships.
This marked the start of 16 days of action by the council – including community outreach projects with local schools and foodbanks – as it seeks to raise awareness of the help available for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
Data published recently by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has highlighted the importance of this, following a 6% increase in domestic abuse during the year ending March 2021, with 845,734 domestic abuse-related crimes being recorded nationally in this timeframe.
There was also a 22% increase in calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline in England during this period.
Councillor Andrew Reid, cabinet member for Public Health, Public Protection and Communities commented:
