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The City is once again taking part in the United Nations' annual 16 day Orange the World crusade to end violence against women and girls. Individuals, groups and organisations have been encouraged to Go Orange and not only raise awareness of the problem of violence against others, but also highlight the help and support that is available to victims in Wolverhampton.
The local campaign, taking place from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and 10 December, UN Human Rights Day, has been organised by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards with support from a wide range of organisations including the City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum.
It began on Saturday with a host of events at Molineux Stadium. They included prematch activities for families in Wolfie's Den, a presentation on the pitch at half time, and coverage of the campaign in the matchday programme. A number of survivors of domestic violence, along with families who are or have been supported by The Haven and Jericho House, also received complimentary tickets for Wolverhampton Wanderers' match with Bolton Wanderers.
People were encouraged to wear an item of orange clothing or accessories on Wear Orange day yesterday (Monday 27 November), and also wear an orange ribbon throughout the 16 day campaign, while the famous Prince Albert statue in Queen Square has donned an orange sash to show his support.
Shoppers are invited to pay a visit to the Orange Wolverhampton pop up shop in the Wulfrun Centre from 10.30am to 4pm on Thursday (30 November, 2017).
Visitors to the shop, close to Iceland, will be able to 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. West Midlands Fire Brigade, West Midlands Police, and other organisations will be in attendance at various points in the day.
Also this week, the popular Wolverhampton Parkrun at West Park will be turning orange 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).
Other events include orange coffee mornings, market stalls and quizzes, various orange activities are planned at local temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches, while orange banners and flags are flying at various locations including the Civic Centre.
People and organisations are also backing 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. The campaign was also highlighted the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's Victims Summit in Birmingham today (Tuesday 28 November).
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "It is tremendous to see so many people getting behind the Orange Wolverhampton campaign, and supporting the elimination of violence against women and girls.
"This is a crucial issue and one that the council and our partners are determined to address. It's also not too late to get involved in the campaign, which continues until 10 December, so please think about how you can take part and help."
He added: "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."
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;. To see pictures from the campaign, please see the Type=links;Linkid=9907;Title=Flickr gallery;Target=_blank; which will be updated with images as the campaign progresses.
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 28 November, 2017