As part of a new city-wide campaign called ‘Peterborough says no more’ which launched on November 25, the White Ribbon charity - which aims to eradicate violence against women - is calling on men in Peterborough to make a difference in their communities.
The campaign launch date was significant as it is White Ribbon Day - as well as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - where each year thousands of people stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women.
And this year is more important than ever with a significant increase in violence, harassment and abuse towards women during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Anthea Sully, chief executive of White Ribbon UK, said: “What’s happening in Peterborough really shows the power of how White Ribbon can make a difference.
“The reason White Ribbon is such an important campaign is because it works to end violence against women before it starts by bringing men into the picture to think about their own behaviour and the behaviour of friends, to challenge that and work together to change the culture so we stop having excuses for violence against women.
“The vast majority of men are not violent, but men can make a huge difference in preventing other men being violent.
“We know if White Ribbon is being talked about it also helps women experiencing domestic abuse know there are places they can get help.
“One of the challenges in terms of domestic abuse is it can be labelled as a women’s problem, but it’s the perpetrator who is the problem. We need to make sure we stop that behaviour before it starts.
“We must make sure there’s always help and support for people experiencing domestic abuse and the resources are there. Attention also needs to be paid to what leads to those situations.
“Boys grow up in a culture that often does not suggest violence and abuse against women is a bad thing. It starts at a low level.”
Anthea said that since the start of the coronavirus lockdown in March, 35 percent of UK women experienced at least one sexist workplace demand, while 19 percent of girls and women aged 14 to 31 reported experiencing more street harassment.
She added: “That experience for women becomes normalised. That’s what we’re seeking to challenge. At the most extreme level it leads to violence in homes.
“It’s great that a White Ribbon flag was put up outside Peterborough Town Hall - it shows people taking action.
“We would also encourage people to wear white ribbons on Zoom calls to get the message out.”
Anthea said there has been a “significant increase” in calls to domestic abuse helplines during the pandemic, so White Ribbon has launched a lockdown toolkit called ‘Men Ending Violence’ which can be downloaded at: https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/news/2020/11/7/men-ending-violence-a-lockdown-toolkit.
She added: “The current situation is really stressful and difficult for many reasons. But there’s no excuse for abuse and you can’t use stress as an excuse to be violent or abusive to your partner. This year’s message is so important.”
More information on White Ribbon Day, and how you can make a difference, can be found at: https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/day.
How you can make a difference
. Download an A4 poster from the White Ribbon website and put it on display
. Join more than 38,000 other people in making the White Ribbon promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women
. Wear a white ribbon on Zoom/Teams/Skype calls and use it to open up conversations
. See what changes you can introduce at work
. Don’t stay silent.
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Cllr John Holdich raising the White Ribbon flag outside the Town Hall EMN-201125-104410009 Photo: Midlands