Wolverhampton is once again supporting the United Nations' annual 16 day Orange the World campaign, which began on Wednesday, with businesses, community groups and individuals urged to "Orange Wolverhampton" – though because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the campaign is primarily taking place online.
In doing so, they will help 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 – as well as the support available to victims in Wolverhampton.
And politicians are also throwing their weight behind the campaign. Councillor Ian Brookfield, 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 interpersonal violence, and the help and support that is available to victims.
"These abhorrent crimes range from domestic and sexual abuse to female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so called ‘honour based’ violence, stalking and harassment.
“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: "The Conservative Group very much supports 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, and it's important for us locally to get behind this really important campaign."
The Orange Wolverhampton campaign is coordinated by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum and the City of Wolverhampton Council, and is held annually between 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10 December, UN Human Rights Day.
For more information and to sign up to this year’s campaign, please visit the Orange Wolverhampton website. Details of events and resources are being added to the website as they are confirmed.
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
- Haven Counselling helpline - 08000 308 345 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 2pm)
- Haven online Live Chat (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
- 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 visit Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together.
