The annual Orange Wolverhampton campaign, which begins today (Monday 25 November), aims to raise awareness of the city’s continuing drive to end domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called honour-based violence, sexual violence and stalking and harassment.
At the same time, it highlights the advice and support that is available to victims from local and national organisations such as The Haven Wolverhampton, St George's Hub, Karma Nirvana and the City of Wolverhampton Council.
Residents, businesses, schools, faith groups, charities and other organisations are once again being encouraged to 'Orange Wolverhampton' and are invited to join one of the many online and face to face events taking place across the city between now and 10 December.
It will begin with a flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre this morning (Monday) at 11am.
There will be an Orange Wolverhampton information point at the Mander Centre next Monday and Tuesday, 2 and 3 December, between 10.30am and 4.30pm, raising awareness and giving out orange ribbons for people to wear in support of the campaign.
There are also craft workshops with Changing Lives, a series of virtual Lunch and Learn sessions with The Haven Wolverhampton, ROSHNI, Black Country Women's Aid, DORCAS and Changing Lives, virtual Spotlight Sessions on domestic violence with Sikh Women's Aid and drop in session with Wolverhampton Homes, DORCAS and ROSHNI.
A Round Table Event for male survivors and professionals will be hosted by St George's Hub, which is also holding a workshop to help identify the hidden male victims of honour-based violence.
Wolverhampton's Domestic Abuse Champions will be at Wednesfield Library this Friday (29 November) to talk to people about any concerns they may have in confidence, and Orange Wolverhampton runners will be taking part in the parkruns at West Park and East Park during the 16 days of activism.
The programme ends with an Orange Walk led by ROSHNI on Tuesday 10 December through the city. Full details of the events are available on the Orange Wolverhampton website.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is a great way for us to all say ‘no’ to interpersonal violence and help raise awareness of the advice and support available to victims and survivors in Wolverhampton.
“We’re hoping that thousands of people will get involved again this year, so please play your part and, together, let’s Orange Wolverhampton!”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, added: “There are loads of ways that people can get involved in the campaign, from holding ‘wear orange’ days, wearing orange pin badges, turning your social media channels orange, and sharing key messages about the campaign.
“But the easiest way is to join one of the many events that are being held over the next few weeks, or visiting the Orange Wolverhampton information stand in the Mander Centre on 2 and 3 December.”
The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is co-ordinated by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and the council, and runs from 25 November, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until 10 December, UN Human Rights Day. It supports the UN Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls but, in Wolverhampton, there is a strong focus on ending interpersonal violence against all individuals, whether they are female or male.
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
- Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of so-called ‘honour-based’ violence and forced marriage - 0800 5999 247
- Wolverhampton Adult Social Care - 01902 551199
- Wolverhampton Children's Social Care - 01902 555392
- West Midlands Forced Marriage and Honour-Based Violence Helpline - 0800 953 9777
- National Domestic Violence helpline for women - 0808 2000 247
- National Domestic Violence helpline for men - 0808 8010327
- NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation helpline - 0800 028 3550
- In an emergency, always call police on 999.
For more information about the work visit Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together.
