Schools ‘breeding ground for violence against women’
Council urged to get White Ribbon status
ACOUNCILLOR who works as a teacher has described schools as a ‘breeding ground’ for male violence against women.
Coun Dena Ryness made the comment while urging fellow Stockport councillors to back the authority’s bid for ‘White Ribbon’ accreditation.
White Ribbon UK is a leading charity and part of the global movement started by men in Canada in 2004. Its mission is for all men to fulfil the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.
Last week the town hall announced it would be seeking accreditation from the charity, shortly after the Lib Dem group submitted a motion calling for the move.
And at this month’s full council meeting, Labour tabled an amendment also including the participation of local primary and secondary schools.
Coun Ryness told the meeting how White Ribbon focused on challenging male cultures that are the ‘breeding grounds that eventually give way to violence’.
And she said this would make a ‘real difference’ in schools, as early intervention was ‘key’ to tackling the problem.
The Heatons North councillor added: “Schools are a huge area of concern when it comes to the breeding of male violence against women.
“Aside from the structural sexism and misogyny in our schools - which is another aspect of this issue - there’s a real problem of sexual harassment and violence in schools perpeterated by boys against girls.”
She urged members to look a the website Everyone’s Invited, which has a stated mission to to expose and eradicate rape culture
“It’s horrifying and it gives some idea of the extent of the problem,” said Coun Ryness.
“So this is why we also need to support the women’s rights campaign in schools.
“There’s a separate programme just for this that I’m currently implementing in the schools in which I teach.”
The school programme focuses on male male volunteers between the ages of 14 and 18 and includes an introductory one-hour awareness session before they decide to commit.
Participants have a target of asking 25 people to make the same promise and to mark White Ribbon Day on November 25.
Coun Ryness added: “This is really where I see this campaign making a difference, because early intervention is absolutely key.”
She continued: “Violence against women will only end by dismantling the learned behaviours and institutions that have enabled it. And the step that I hope all members will take tonight by supporting this amendment will help to do just this.”
Lib Dem group leader Mark Hunter had moved the original motion, calling for all male councillors to take the White Ribbon Promise and the authority to ‘undertake as soon as practicable the steps necessary’ to achieve accreditation
This was seconded by Coun Lou Ankers who said it was particularly important for male councillors to make the pledge not to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women.
“Domestic violence happens at every strata of society,” Coun Ankers told the meeting.
“Almost one in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. A terrible statistic.”
She told of her own experiences of friendship groups refusing to admit the significance of male violence against women or pretended it hadn’t happened.
“Going along and not calling out disturbing and destructive behaviour amongst friends and families is what constructs the environment that this violence continues within,” she said.
“Calling women who do not come forward or leave ‘weak’ or not being able to stand up - that is victim blaming and out of order. Blame the perpetrator and don’t be his friend.”
The Liberal Democrats backed the Labour amendment, despite Coun Hunter noting his ‘extreme disappointment’ that it was a close re-write of his group’s motion.
The amended motion was unanimously carried.
For more information on the White Ribbon organisational accreditation, visit: https://www. whiteribbon.org.uk/ organisations.