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The City is once again backing the United Nations' annual 16 day Orange the World campaign, which begins on Saturday (25 November, 2017) - with a wide range of activities taking place organised by businesses, community groups and individuals designed to 'Orange Wolverhampton'.
The major 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.
It will not only 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 - but also the help and support that is available to victims in the City of Wolverhampton.
The campaign takes place over 16 days between 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and 10 December, UN Human Rights Day, and will be officially launched at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.
There will be activities for families in Wolfie's Den before Wolverhampton Wanderers' match against Bolton Wanderers and a presentation on the pitch at half time. A number of survivors of domestic violence, along with families who are or have been supported by The Haven and Jericho House, have also been given complimentary tickets for the game.
People are being encouraged to don an item of clothing on Wear Orange day this Monday (27 November) and to visit the Orange Wolverhampton pop up shop in the Wulfrun Centre on Thursday 30 November, 2017, where they can find out more about the campaign and pledge their support to ending violence against women and girls.
They will also be able to speak in confidence to representatives of Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum and other local support services about any issues affecting them, their friends or loved ones.
There are also events and activities at local temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches, safeguarding workshops for faith groups, banners and flags will be flying at various locations, and the famous Prince Albert statue in Queen Square will be sporting an orange sash.
The popular Wolverhampton Parkrun will be turning orange at West Park on Saturday 2 December while the Beacon Centre for the Blind will also be supporting the campaign at its Santa Run at West Park on Sunday 3 December.
The Women of Wolverhampton are holding an orange coffee morning and making orange bunting at Newhampton Arts Centre, and Changing Lives and St George's Hub are hosting orange market stalls at The Workspace in All Saint and St George's House respectively.
The University of Wolverhampton students will be putting their little grey cells to the test with an orange themed quiz and the Orange Wolverhampton campaign will also be highlighted at the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's Victims Summit in Birmingham.
People and organisations are also pledging to back the campaign by turning social media channels and websites orange and sharing photos and key campaign messages via Twitter using the hashtag #orangewolves and by tagging @wvsafeguarding in the conversation.
Meanwhile, individuals and groups across the City have been busy making thousands of orange ribbons for people to wear throughout the 16 day campaign.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Gender based violence in any of its forms is illegal and totally abhorrent, and we are committed to working with our partners to identify and support victims of it.
"We are delighted to once again be turning the City of Wolverhampton 'orange' to say no to violence against women and girls, to raise awareness of the issues and to make sure people know how to get the help they need.
"It is important to stress that the title of violence against women and girls recognises the gendered nature of these issues, in that the majority of victims are female. However, the campaign seeks to end all interpersonal violence affecting women, men, girls and boys.
"There are so many ways organisations and individuals can take part and it's great to see so many people throwing their weight behind this year's campaign - a big thank you to everyone who is planning to be involved in one way or another."
Among the organisations supporting the campaign is The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton. It will be turning the wall of lights on one end of its School Street building orange, as well as hosting a series of awareness raising activities for the young people who use the centre.
Carla Priddon, CEO of The Way, said: "The Way Youth Zone is delighted to be supporting this important initiative. We are keen to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women and girls with our members and the community and are pleased to be part of a Wolverhampton wide project involving multiple organisations to help make Wolverhampton safer."
To find out more about the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, please visit Type=links;Linkid=7040;Title=Wolverhampton Safeguarding;Target=_blank;, and follow it at Type=links;Linkid=9893;Title=Twitter - Wolverhampton Safeguarding;Target=_blank; using the hashtag #orangewolves and Type=links;Linkid=7295;Title=Facebook - Wolverhampton Safeguarding;Target=_blank;.
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.
- released: Tuesday 21 November, 2017