White Ribbon Day 2011
White Ribbon Day is an international campaign which aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse against women.
This year, White Ribbon day will be held on Friday 25 November. Winchester Domestic Violence Forum will be asking residents of Winchester & District to show their support for this important raising awareness campaign by proudly wearing a white ribbon.
To mark the event the Forum will have a stand at two venues:
- River Park Leisure Centre, Gordon Road, Winchester from 09:00 to 14.00hrs
- The Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester from 10:00 to 14.00hrs
At both venues, members of the forum will be handing out White Ribbons and information as a way of trying to engage the public in discussions on issues around Domestic Violence as part of their awareness raising. The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr and Mrs Lipscomb will be attending both venues and MP Steve Brine, has expressed his support to the event.
Support is being offered in a variety of ways this year:
- the A&E and Maternity Units at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital will be supporting White Ribbon day by distributing White Ribbons and information in their departments
- the Invisible Walls project will be organising a display at the visitor centre in Winchester Prison
- the Domestic Violence Forum will be ensuring that local businesses and larger organisations like the council offices have supplies of White Ribbons and information on the day
- the University of Winchester is being asked to set up sites on their campus to distribute White Ribbons and Information to their students.
This year the Forum has focused some of their work on making contact with young people via educational establishments. This has resulted in a visit to a Winchester school to talk about safe and responsible relationships and friendships, which was so well received that the Forum hope to expand the project next year to other schools in the district.
If you are unable to attend the White Ribbon event and would like to learn more about local services or are affected by the issues raised please contact Trinity Centre Help line on 01962 828 625 or Free Phone National Domestic Violence help line on 0808 2000 247 or visit http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
For more information about Winchester Domestic Violence Forum which is facilitated by Winchester Area Community Action please contact tel: 01962 842 293 for details.