Clampdown on domestic abuse

COUNCIL leaders in Warrington will today help launch the town’s White Ribbon Campaign to target domestic abuse within the borough.
The campaign, organised by the Warrington Domestic Abuse Partnership (WDAP), will highlight the current extent of domestic abuse and will call on men, women and young people to take action.
Cllr Pat Wright, the council’s lead member for health and wellbeing and adult services said: “Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men at some stage in their lives and it can have harmful effects on their children. In the last year, 323 Warrington children were affected in cases where victims were at serious risk of injury or death.
“So we’re asking men, women and young people to join the campaign by wearing a white ribbon to show that they believe domestic abuse is wrong and will not be tolerated in Warrington.”
The White Ribbon Campaign is an international effort primarily aimed at men and boys, encouraging them to pledge that they will never commit, condone or remain silent about abuse of women.
Fiona Waddington, the council’s assistant director of children and young people’s services, who is also WDAP chairman said: “For the next two weeks council staff will be rattling tins and selling white ribbons
for the Warrington White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to help people who are affected to find support. Ribbons will be available at a number of council offices and at Warrington Christmas Market on November 30.”
The council will also have a campaign stall at the Cockhedge Centre today between 10am and 1pm.
Sandra Horley, chief executive of the national domestic violence charity Refuge, said: “Refuge’s services in Warrington change lives and save lives. But we won’t end domestic violence until we change the social attitudes which allow it to continue. Wearing a white ribbon and pledging never to commit, condone or ignore domestic violence is a powerful way for individuals to take a stand.”