Wolverhampton is once again supporting the United Nations' annual 16 day Orange the World campaign, beginning on Sunday (25 November, 2018), with a range of activities organised by businesses, community groups and individuals to "Orange Wolverhampton".
In doing so, they will be helping to raise awareness of Wolverhampton's drive to end gender based violence, primarily committed against women and girls, including domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called 'honour based' violence and sexual violence.
At the same time, they will also highlight the help and support available to victims in Wolverhampton from local and national organisations such as The Haven, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, St George's Hub, Karma Nirvana and the City of Wolverhampton Council.
Among those backing the campaign is the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson. He said: "I wholeheartedly support the Orange Wolverhampton campaign.
"Women and girls who are suffering or have suffered such violence know it is a frightening and isolating time - the Orange Wolverhampton campaign shows them they are not alone, that there is help and support out there, and that as a city, Wolverhampton is united against abuse.
"I am determined to bring these so-called hidden crimes out of the shadows, into the light and tackle them head on. Orange Wolverhampton helps us do that."
Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "It is great that David Jamieson is backing our campaign again this year.
"Gender based violence, whether it is committed against women and girls or men and boys, is illegal and totally abhorrent, and we are committed to working with our partners including West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to identify and support anyone who is the victim of it.
"The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is a superb way to show that we are all committed to ending gender based violence, and to highlight where people should turn for help if they are affected by the issue in any way."
There are many ways which people can get involved and show their support for the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, from wearing orange, turning websites and social media channels orange, sharing key messages about the campaign with friends and family, staff, customers and service users, holding orange cake sales or coffee mornings, lighting buildings orange, flying orange flags and much more.
People are also encouraged to make and wear orange ribbons throughout the 16-day campaign, which begins on 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, UN Human Rights Day.
To find out more about the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, which is championed and run by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, please visit Type=links;Linkid=10998;Title=OrangeWolves;Target=_blank;.
You can also follow the Orange Wolverhampton campaign on Twitter and share your support and photos using the hashtag #OrangeWolves and by following Type=links;Linkid=9893;Title=WVsafeguarding;Target=_blank;, or via the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards' Type=links;Linkid=7295;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank; page.
Anyone suffering from domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called 'honour based' violence or sexual violence, or knows someone who is, should call the relevant helpline:
- The Haven Wolverhampton 24-hour helpline for women - 08000 194400
- St George's Hub support for male victims - 01902 421904
- National Domestic Violence helpline for women - 0808 2000 247
- National Domestic Violence helpline for men - 0808 8010327
- NSPCC FGM helpline - 0800 028 3550
- Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of so-called 'honour-based' violence and forced marriage - 0800 5999 247
- Wolverhampton Adults Social Care - 01902 551199
- Wolverhampton Children's Social Care - 01902 555392
In an emergency, always call police on 999.
- released: Monday 19 November, 2018