The annual United Nations' Orange the World 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.
Wolverhampton is once again backing the campaign, with residents, businesses and organisations across the city asked to respond to the challenge, 'what will you do to Orange Wolverhampton?'.
Everyone is invited to support the campaign in any way they wish, from taking part in this year's Wear Orange day on Monday 26 November to turning an event or activity - whether it be a social gathering, a sport or a performance - orange during the 16 day campaign.
They can also change their social media channels and websites orange, wear orange ribbons and back the campaign by sharing photos and key messages about Orange Wolverhampton.
People can visit the Orange Wolverhampton pop-up shop in the Wulfrun Centre on Thursday 29 November, or join one of a wide range of coffee mornings and other social events which are taking place across the city throughout the campaign. They can even enjoy an orange themed menu which will be served in 2 secondary schools and at the Civic Centre's cafe.
By helping Orange Wolverhampton, people 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.
Councillor Hazel Malcolm, 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 anyone who is the victim of it.
"Turning Wolverhampton orange is an important part of our work to raise awareness of these issues and to make sure people know how to get the help and support they need, and we are delighted to once again be supporting the United Nations' Orange the World campaign."
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;.
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.
Councillor Malcolm added: "It is important to stress that the focus of the UN campaign - to end violence against women and girls - is in recognition of the gendered nature of these issues, in that the majority of victims are female. However, we are very clear that Orange Wolverhampton seeks to end all interpersonal violence, whether it is committed against women and girls or boys and men, and to ensure that any victim knows where they can turn to."
- released: Friday 16 November, 2018