Type=image;ImageID=14070;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Members of the Labour Group;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=14071;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Members of the Conservative Group;TitleClass=strong;
The City of Wolverhampton is supporting 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 to "Orange Wolverhampton".
And politicians are also throwing their weight behind the campaign.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council and leader of the council's Labour Group, said: "The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is a vitally important way in which we can all highlight the issue of gender based violence, and the help and support that is available to victims of this abhorrent crime.
"Gender based violence is primarily committed against women and girls and can range from domestic and sexual abuse to female genital mutilation, forced marriage and so called 'honour based' violence.
"We want people to be aware of the issues and to seek help, either for themselves or for a friend or relative who may be suffering at the hands of another. I would encourage everyone in our City to get involved and join us in helping to Orange Wolverhampton between 25 November and 10 December."
Councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of the Conservative Group on the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "We are very happy to support the Orange Wolverhampton campaign and we hope that everybody will take this opportunity to get involved and help stop violence against women and girls.
"This is a worldwide issue which the United Nations has taken up, but it's also important for us locally to get behind this really important campaign."
The City's 3 MPs are also backing the campaign. Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said: "This year, I will once again be supporting the Orange Wolverhampton campaign.
"It's our local campaign in support of the United Nations' 16 days of action against violence against women and girls. I'm a father of a son and a daughter and I want my daughter to grow up with the same chances and safety as my son has. I hope you will support the campaign too."
Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds said: "I'm proud to be supporting the Orange Wolverhampton campaign. Although international in its origin, this campaign is best championed locally and I would urge everyone to Orange Wolverhampton to mark the UN campaign to end violence against women and girls."
And Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith added: "l am supporting Orange Wolverhampton because enough is enough.
"Too many women and girls are subjected to domestic abuse in our City. As a community, we need to raise more awareness on domestic abuse and call on our men to stand against it."
People and organisations can get involved in any way they want. Ideas include wearing an item of orange clothing or accessories on Wear Orange day on Monday (27 November), sporting an orange ribbon throughout the 16 day campaign, turning social media channels and websites orange, holding orange themed events and sharing photos, key campaign messages and details of Orange activities via Twitter using the hashtag #orangewolves, tagging @wvsafeguarding in the conversation.
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;.
Follow the Orange Wolverhampton campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #orangewolves and by following Type=links;Linkid=9893;Title=Twitter;Target=_blank;. Alternatively, please follow Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards and share your photos via Type=links;Linkid=7295;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank;.
- released: Thursday 23 November, 2017