Type=image;ImageID=16830;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Members of the Labour Group;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16831;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Members of the Conservative Group;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=16832;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds;TitleClass=strong;
Wolverhampton is once again supporting the United Nations' annual 16 day Orange the World campaign, which begins on Sunday (25 November), with a wide range of activities taking place organised by businesses, community groups and individuals to "Orange Wolverhampton".
In doing so, they are helping to raise awareness of Wolverhampton's drive to end gender based violence, primarily committed against women and girls, including domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called 'honour based' violence and sexual violence.
At the same time, they will be highlighting the help and support that is available to victims in Wolverhampton from local and national organisations such as The Haven, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, St George's Hub, Karma Nirvana and the City of Wolverhampton Council.
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: "Orange Wolverhampton is an important campaign highlighting the United Nations' international 16 days of action to end violence against women and girls.
"Domestic violence is a hidden crime and it is estimated that more than a quarter of women experience it in their lifetime. Around four in every five victims do not feel confident to report it to the police. This is a huge issue and the police must give victims the confidence to come forward so they can get the right support, and the Government must put in place stronger guidelines which protect women.
"One woman is killed by a partner or an ex-partner every week - and half of these occur within a month of breaking up. This makes campaigns like Orange Wolverhampton so important in highlighting domestic violence and the services which are available. The end of a relationship should not put women's lives in danger."
And Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith said: "Orange Wolverhampton's work locally in supporting the UN's campaign to end violence against women and girls is brilliant.
"That is why I am hosting them in Westminster on Tuesday 27 November, and inviting my Parliamentary colleagues to meet them and hear first-hand about Orange Wolverhampton's projects and successes."
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.
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 follow and share via Wolverhampton Safeguarding Boards' Type=links;Linkid=7295;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank; page.
More than 50 organisations took part in last year's campaign, wearing orange, turning their websites and social media channels orange, sharing key messages about the campaign with staff, customers and service users, holding orange cake sales or coffee mornings, lighting their buildings orange, flying orange flags and much more. Some 16,000 people also showed their support by wearing orange ribbons throughout the 16 day campaign.
- released: Friday 23 November, 2018