Wolverhampton is preparing to turn Orange again as the city says 'No' to gender based violence.

Type=image;ImageID=16327;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Councillor Hazel Malcolm backing campaign;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=16329;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The Orange Wolverhampton pop-up shop;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=16328;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The Prince Albert statue, sporting an orange sash;TitleClass=strong;

Residents, businesses, schools, faith groups, charities and other organisations across the city are once more being encouraged to 'Orange Wolverhampton' between 25 November and 10 December.

In doing so, they will help raise awareness of Wolverhampton's drive to end gender-based violence - primarily that 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 be highlighting the help and support that is 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.

More than 50 organisations took part in 2017's campaign, holding wear orange days, turning their websites and social media channels orange, sharing key messages about the campaign with staff, customers and service users, holding orange cake sales or coffee mornings, lighting their buildings orange, flying orange flags and much more.

Some 16,000 people also showed their support by wearing orange ribbons throughout the 16 day campaign.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Last year's Orange Wolverhampton campaign was the biggest so far, with thousands of people showing their support in one way or another.

"We want to make this year's campaign even bigger - and this is your chance to get involved. There are so many things you can do, big and small, all of which will help raise awareness of these issues.

"The colour orange symbolises a brighter future and a world free from gender-based violence, and turning Wolverhampton Orange is an important part of our work to make sure victims know how to get the help and support they need."

For more information and to sign up to this year's campaign, please visit the new Orange Wolverhampton website at Type=links;Linkid=10998;Title=OrangeWolves;Target=_blank;.

Key dates for this year's campaign include: Wear Orange Day on Monday 26 November, when people are encouraged to wear orange clothing; the return of the Orange Wolverhampton pop up shop in the Wulfrun Centre on Thursday 29 November, where people can find out more about the campaign and the help and support available locally; and Eat Orange Day on Fridays 30 November and 7 December, on which people are asked to consume some orange food or drink.

Orange Wolverhampton supports the United Nations' Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls, which takes place annually between 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10 December, UN Human Rights Day.

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 Female Genital Mutilation helpline - 0800 028 3550
     
  • Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of so called 'honour based' violence and forced marriage - 0800 5999 247
     
  • Wolverhampton Adult Social Care - 01902 551199
     
  • Wolverhampton Children's Social Care - 01902 555392

In an emergency, always call police on 999.

For more detailed local information please visit Type=links;Linkid=7041;Title=Wolverhampton Safeguarding;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Monday 17 September, 2018