Type=image;ImageID=16806;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Women's group Prem Vadaw;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16807;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Busy making hundreds of ribbons;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16808;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Raise awareness of gender based violence;TitleClass=strong;
They will be worn with pride during the 16 day safeguarding campaign, which begins on Sunday (25 November), the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls) and continues until Monday 10 December, UN Human Rights Day.
In total, over 20,000 ribbons have been made by groups of volunteers from groups and organisations including Women of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, the City of Wolverhampton College, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Prem Vadaw, Wolverhampton's Safeguarding Boards and the City of Wolverhampton Council.
Also making ribbons were members of Jaikara Ltd, Wolverhampton Diabetes Self Help Group, St Chad's Women's Group, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council, the B-Safe Team, Hope Community Project, scouts and numerous other friendship and social groups, while Wolverhampton Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur arranged a ribbon making session at Springvale Library with local residents and fellow councillors.
By wearing the ribbons and helping to 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: "Support for the Orange Wolverhampton campaign is growing each year - as demonstrated by the fact that so many individuals and groups have been willing to give up their time and energy to create thousands of ribbons for people to wear during this year's event."
Steve Dodd, from Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards, said: "The response to our appeal for people to make ribbons for this year's campaign has been incredible and I would like to thank everyone who has helped out.
"If you haven't got a ribbon, don't worry as there are plenty of other ways in which you can support the campaign - not least by wearing something orange on Wear Orange day, which this year will be Monday 26 November."
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.
- released: Tuesday 20 November, 2018