The Goal: let’s unite to end violence against women and girls

Suffolk County Council is supporting the White Ribbon campaign. White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls, and this year’s campaign, #TheGoal calls on people to make the White Ribbon Promise: never to use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

This year, White Ribbon Day, 25th November, fell on the same week as the start of the FIFA men’s World Cup. There has never been a better time for us to come together and start playing as a team to end violence against women and girls.

We are sadly all too aware that domestic abuse can increase during major football tournaments. Research by the University of Lancaster suggests that nationally, violent domestic abuse incidents increase by 38% when England loses football matches. Rates are also 26% higher when the team wins or draws. During the last World Cup in 2018, the NSPCC saw a 33% increase in contacts.

The White Ribbon campaign highlights 11 traits men and boys can nurture to help create a world of equality and safety for women: Ally, caring, empathetic, courageous, gentle, resilient, reliable, hopeful, principled, reflective, supportive. All men can join the team to end violence against women and girls. Whether you're a football fan or not, we can work together to achieve gender equality.

Last Friday I, alongside colleagues from the County Council, Suffolk Police, District and Borough Councils, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Domestic Abuse services and organisations, signed the White Ribbon pledge, to say ‘no’ to violence against women and girls.

Wearing a White Ribbon is a powerful visual way to share this message and this can help to start important conversations with others. This is why I choose to wear mine.

There is lots of work happening locally to make Suffolk a safer place for women and girls. Earlier this year we updated Suffolk’s Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, which was accompanied by an action plan as well as £357,000 funding for projects aiming to stop violence and support victims. We have now allocated almost £300,000 of this funding to six three-year projects. Further projects will be supported in round 2, successful projects will be announced early next year.

I also attended the Suffolk Police awards last week, where I presented The Sue Poole Award for supporting victims of domestic abuse. The Award recognises individuals or organisational innovation, achievement and commitment, in developing and maintaining projects, initiatives and solutions for victims and survivors of violence and abuse.

The Award is sponsored by the family of the late Sue Poole along with Suffolk County Council and is awarded in Sue’s memory. Sue Poole worked tirelessly to support adults, young people and children affected by the impact of domestic abuse.

The winner of this year’s award is Teri Cudby, who has been training Domestic Abuse Champions on behalf of Suffolk County Council since 2019.

Teri has now trained over 1050 champions across Suffolk and these champions are ‘go to’ people in organisations, businesses and communities who are trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse, give appropriate safety advice and signpost to support agencies following a disclosure of domestic abuse.

This training is free to anyone who lives or works in Suffolk. If you would like to book on to the training, or to find out more, please visit Eventbrite.com and search ‘Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champions Network’ or email dachampions@suffolk.gov.uk

In June 2021 Suffolk Libraries launched themselves as “Safe Spaces” for victim-survivors of domestic abuse. The idea of Safe Spaces is to provide an accessible safe and discrete environment where anyone, whether they are experiencing domestic abuse themselves, or if they’re worried about someone else, can speak to someone in the library in confidence and be referred to the organisations who can support them. A visit to the library may offer someone the chance to get away from their abuser and so provides an ideal opportunity to speak to someone in confidence.

Suffolk Libraries are one of a number of organisations who have signed up to the national UK SAYS NO MORE Safe Spaces initiative, visit Safe Space Locations | UK says no more for more information and to find out how your organisation can get involved.

Lastly, if you are experiencing abuse, or are worried about a relative, friend or colleague, please call the Anglia Care Trust 24 Hour helpline for support on 0800 9775690 or visit the Suffolk Domestic Abuse Helpline.

White Ribbon Day (25 November) began 16 days of action to highlight support available for women and girls, both nationally and locally. You can get involved by following Suffolk County Council on Facebook and Twitter and using the hashtag #TheGoalSuffolk.

Together, we can stop violence against women and girls.