Blackpool is supporting a host of events and activities across the town to mark national White Ribbon Day (25 November).

The White Ribbon campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of violence against women and engage more men to be part of the solution. Supporters of the campaign are asked to pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms; with Blackpool being clear that all violence and abuse is not acceptable for any victim regardless of gender.

Events and activities will be held on National White Ribbon Day and during the 16 days of action that follow until 11December to support delivering the White Ribbon message and raising awareness.

Some of the diverse range of organisations that will be involved are Blackpool Council, Blackpool Muslim Community, schools, children’s centres, Blackpool Teaching Hospital, Safenet Domestic Abuse Service, Fylde Coast Women’s Aid (FCWA), Blackpool & The Fylde College, neighbourhood policing and community safety teams, police cadets, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue service, and Blackpool Coastal Housing.

Examples from a large number of events and activities include: The Blackpool Muslim Community Sermon shall be dedicated to the White Ribbon message, Blackpool Tower shall be lit white, White Ribbon flag shall be up on the Town Hall, Promenade arches to display White Ribbon message, an awareness information stand and opportunity for males to ‘make the pledge’ at Blackpool Teaching Hospital, a student awareness day at Blackpool and the Fylde College and various activities across the Children Centres.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council, Cabinet Secretary for Resilient Communities, said: “I am delighted that so many organisations, partners and schools are backing the White Ribbon Campaign.

“All these activities focus attention on what are despicable acts of violence against women and the distress of those people who witness it. It ruins the lives of victims and often the wider family.

“Such violence has to stop and we must do everything that we can to tackle such horrendous behaviour. By actively engaging more men in the debate about the issues we are taking a positive step towards driving greater awareness in our communities.”

Blackpool on behalf of the Blackpool Domestic Abuse & Interpersonal Violence (DAIV) Partnership received White Ribbon accreditation this year along with all Lancashire district councils, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and several health bodies. Lancashire becoming the UK's first White Ribbon county supported by Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

People can pledge their support for the campaign online and find out more at https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/

For further information on the events and activities https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/WhiteRibbon

If you need help.

999 – Police in the event of an emergency
01253 347119 Safenet Domestic Abuse Service
01253 596699 FCWA helpline
0808 2000 247 Women’s Aid National Domestic Violence helpline
For a full list of events and activities, click on this link: WR Activity Events Schedule