County’s force standing against male violence by backing White Ribbon Day
DERBYSHIRE Constabulary is supporting initiatives against male violence.
White Ribbon Day and the following 16 Days of Action is a global movement to end male violence against women and girls.
The force says it will be supporting the message with its ongoing controlling and coercive behaviour campaign, and will be highlighting signs of this kind of behaviour and signposting where people can get help.
Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “As a female leader, I am keen to play a key role in setting the example for our male colleagues and take a stand for women and girls.
“I know that many men, both in Derbyshire police and in the wider community, actively support White Ribbon Day and it is fantastic to see our male officers regularly showing their commitment to ending male violence.
“In my role as the National
Police Chiefs Council’s lead for gender, I am all too aware of the national conversations happening around policing and that there is work to do to rebuild trust with women and girls.
“We are listening to that conversation and we have taken action as a result – for example, we are working with our partners on a county-wide violence against women and girls strategy.
“We are building upon work already in place, strengthening relationships with licensed premises, increasing officers in locations where offences are known to happen and working closely with key partners on a range of funded initiatives to make public places safer, especially at night.
“There is more to do, but I hope that supporting White Ribbon Day shows one small part of the work we are doing to make sure women and girls in our communities have confidence in us and feel safe to go about their daily lives.”
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is running a survey to identify what makes women and girls feel unsafe in Derbyshire, where their fear of crime is greatest and what would make them feel safer.
And the force says it wants as many men as possible to think carefully and make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.
To support this message by signing the pledge, visit www. whiteribbon.org.uk/day