How to support this year’s White Ribbon campaign

There’s just a couple of days to go until this year’s White Ribbon campaign gets underway.

White Ribbon Day, which takes place on November 25 and is followed by 16 Days of Action, aims to raise awareness and work towards ending male violence against women.

You can show your support in a number of ways, including by wearing a white ribbon and making a promise online to “never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women”.

White Ribbons will be available from November 18 in council reception areas and in the Hwbs and leisure centres in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli.

While domestic abuse affects both sexes, the largest number of violent incidents involve men against women.  But ultimately male violence against women is everyone’s issue, not just women’s.

In the last 12 months in Carmarthenshire, Dyfed-Powys Police were notified of almost 2,350 victims of domestic abuse.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Safety Manager Kate Harrop said: “We know this is under-reported and there are many more victims out there. By raising awareness of this national campaign our aim, through working in partnership, is to encourage more victims to come forward and get support from the great services that are available out there.”

Men can sign up to become a White Ribbon Ambassador and women a Champion and help promote awareness of the campaign and engage with men and boys to step up and call out violent behaviour among their ‘peers.’

Or why not join the annual Candlelight Walk and Talk in Carmarthen, which is being held on Thursday, November 21. Meeting outside the Vue cinema in St Catherine’s Walk at 5.15pm, the procession then heads up to Jackson’s Square where flowers and candles will be left, and there will then be refreshments, speakers and a choir.  The walk has been organised by Women Survivor Support Project (WSSP).

Once again this year Carmarthenshire County Council will be showing its support by flying the White Ribbon flags at its council buildings in Carmarthen (County Hall), and town halls in Llanelli and Ammanford from November 21 until Monday, November 25.

The Council has been working together with partners to spread the word that you don’t have to suffer in silence, and there is help available. Partners include: Dyfed-Powys Police; Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue service; Hywel Dda University Health Board; Hafan Cymru; Threshold Llanelli; Calan Domestic Violence Service (Calan DVS); Women Survivors Support Project; Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Service (CDAS); Carmarthenshire Federation of Women’s Institute and more.