The annual campaign, coordinated by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum and the City of Wolverhampton Council, supports the United Nations’ Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls.
Residents, businesses, schools, churches, voluntary groups and other organisations have been encouraged to turn Wolverhampton orange between 25 November and 10 December by holding wear orange days, turning their websites and social media channels orange, sharing campaign messages with friends, customers and colleagues, organising orange coffee mornings, flying orange flags and much more.
In doing so, they are raising awareness of the issues of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour based’ violence, sexual violence, stalking or harassment, and the help and support which is available to victims from local and national organisations.
For more information of this year's campaign, and details of how to get involved, please visit the Orange Wolverhampton website or follow the campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #OrangeWolves.
People can also visit the Orange Wolverhampton information stand at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, today (Wednesday) from 12pm to 4pm and again on Monday 9 December from 11am to 3pm.
Visitors will be able to find out more about the support available to victims, as well as training opportunities available for professionals. They can also pick up a free orange ribbon – or buy a limited edition orange badge for a suggested donation of £1 – which they can wear in support of this year's campaign. Handy Orange Wolverhampton trolley tokens are also available for £1, with all proceeds going towards the annual campaign.
Anyone suffering from domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour based’ violence, sexual violence, stalking or harassment, 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, www.youmatterhaven.org.uk (Monday to Friday, 9am to 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
For more detailed local information please visit Wolverhampton Safeguarding. In an emergency, always call police on 999.
