THE CAMPAIGN to eliminate violence against women will be in the spotlight throughout Solihull.
To mark White Ribbon Day, which is observed on November 25 every year and marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Solihull Council has announced a series of events to highlight the issue.
To mark the start of the campaign, the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf, held an event, which was attended by the Solihull Soroptimists, other councillors and council staff.
The Mayor of Solihull said: “The 16 Days of Activism are a rallying cry to take action against abuse in all its forms, especially violence against women and girls. It is a global campaign that helps us raise awareness about gender-based violence and the support services available for those who may need it.
“This year, more events will be taking place in Solihull than ever before, including Soroptimist displays, online workshops, and much more.
“This is a hugely important campaign and I’d encourage all Solihull residents to consider attending some of the events and find out more about the local support available for survivors of abuse.”
In 2021 West Midlands Police became White Ribbon accredited, which means that as a force we have been formally recognised for taking a stand to end all male violence against women – all year round.
For the 16-day campaign period, the force will be highlighting key messages in relation to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, as well as outlining where residents can access support and advice across West Midlands.
Chief Superintendent and Walsall LPA Commander, Phil Dolby, said: “White Ribbon Day is a global campaign that’s asking men and boys to be part of the solution to ending violence against women and girls. That’s not to say that men and boys can’t be victims of offences of domestic abuse themselves. Everybody – no matter who you are – deserves to be listened to and given the best possible service from West Midlands Police if you suffer such an offence.
“However, this campaign is particularly focused on what everyone, especially men and boys, can do to individually and collectively act to change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence against women and girls.”
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has praised his Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), along with other organisations, for projects which have helped reduce this type of violence by 10 per cent across the West Midlands.
These projects include training and webinars for professionals.
Hundreds of employees from across the West Midlands have taken part in specialist training delivered by Men at Work. It is aimed at helping them have difficult conversations with young men and boys, identify signs of harmful behaviour and addresses misogyny.
Meanwhile, the Time to Talk programme has been delivered in almost 130 schools since March 2022 and offers a safe space for boys, ranging from 11-18, to discuss often taboo subjects such as porn, sexting, consent, gender bias and misogyny.
Mr Foster said: “Violence against women and girls is abhorrent, it will not be tolerated and bringing an end to it is a priority for me.
“I am pleased that the work of our VRP is helping to bring down violence by educating our communities and providing them with the right support and guidance.
“However, whilst I welcome the news of violence reducing, we cannot be complacent and we never will be, because one victim of violence against women and girls is one too many.
“I must emphasise that there is lots more that we all need to do, to keep women and girls safe. I am committed to preventing and tackling violence against women and girls.”
The events, organised by the Council’s community safety team, will be taking place throughout the campaign.
These include:
- Stalls at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre on November 29, December 2 and December 10, between 10am and 3pm
- A stall at Asda Shirley on December 9 between 10am and 2pm
- Coffee with a copper drop-in session at Asda Shirley on December 9 between 10am and 2pm
- Coffee with a copper drop-in session at JLR social club, on December 10, between 4 and 9pm.
- Coffee with a copper drop-in session at the Solihull Central Majid and Community Centre (101 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3HG), on December 5, between 10am and 2pm
- An online workshop on honour based domestic violence and forced marriages, to be held on December 3, between 11am and 1pm. To book click here.
- An online workshop on victims of domestic violence and restorative justice, to be held on December 6, between 1pm and 2pm. To book click here.
- An online workshop on domestic violence and mental health, to be held on December 10, between 11am and 12pm. To book click here.
The Solihull Soroptimist’s also have six displays across the borough including the Civic Suite, Chelmsley Wood Library, Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, the Three Trees Community Centre and the ground floor of John Lewis in Solihull town centre.
