Type=image;ImageID=14087;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The iconic Prince Albert statue;TitleClass=strong;
The iconic statue in Queen Square is proudly sporting an orange sash in support of the annual 16 day campaign which gets underway tomorrow (Saturday 25 November).
Businesses, community groups and individuals have organised a wide range of activities to raise awareness of gender based violence - violence primarily committed against women and girls, including domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so called 'honour based' violence and sexual violence - and also the help and support that is available to victims in the City of Wolverhampton.
The campaign is organised by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards with support from a wide range of organisations including the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, West Midlands Police, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, the University of Wolverhampton, City of Wolverhampton College and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Kathy Cole-Evans, Strategy Coordinator and General Manager of Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, said: "It's great that we have been able to use the iconic Prince Albert statue to promote this very important campaign to the people of Wolverhampton.
"In the UK an estimated 1.3 million women experience domestic abuse every year and the police receive 100 calls about domestic abuse every hour, so this is a major issue and one that we all need to be aware of.
"The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is not just about highlighting the problem, but also ensuring that victims do not suffer in silence and are aware of and feel able to get the help and support they need."
Anyone worried about or suffering from any form of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so called honour based violence, or sexual violence should call the relevant helpline:
- The Haven Wolverhampton 24 hour Helpline for women and men on 08000 194400
- National Domestic Violence helpline for women on 0808 2000 247
- National Domestic Violence helpline for men on 0808 8010327
- Wolverhampton Adults Social Care team on 01902 551199
- Wolverhampton Children's Social Care on 01902 555392
- NSPCC FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550
- Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of so-called honour-based violence and forced marriage 0800 5999 247.
In an emergency, always call police on 999.
To find out more about the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, please visit Type=links;Linkid=7041;Title=Wolverhampton Safeguarding;Target=_blank; and follow it at Type=links;Linkid=9893;Title=Twitter;Target=_blank; using the hashtag #orangewolves and Type=links;Linkid=7295;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank;.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are delighted to once again be supporting the United Nations 'Orange the World' campaign and turning the City of Wolverhampton 'orange' is an important part of our work to raise awareness of the issues and to make sure people know how to get the help and support they need."
- released: Friday 24 November, 2017