The White Ribbon flag will be raised at Peterborough Town Hall to show support to Peterborough’s survivors of domestic abuse and the international campaign to end male violence on Monday 25 November at 10am.
Peterborough City Council has supported the White Ribbon UK charity since 2021 to encourage staff and communities to speak up against male violence. This could be male violence towards women and girls but also male violence towards other men and boys.
The Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor Marco Cereste and Mayoress Maddalena Cereste will be at the ceremony outside the Town Hall.
Local specialist services Peterborough Women’s Aid, Peterborough Rape Crisis and Living Keys will also be in attendance with information about how they can support people who are subjected to domestic abuse and sexual violence.
There will also be representatives from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, RAF Wittering and other White Ribbon ambassadors from Peterborough City Council.
The theme for White Ribbon Day this year is ‘It Starts With Men’ with the campaign highlighting that violence against women and girls is rooted in harmful masculine traits and encouraging people to address the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a fear of violence for women in their day-to-day lives.
The event has been organised in preparation for the start of the annual 16 days of action against domestic abuse, which begins on 25 November.
Cllr Marco Cereste, Mayor of Peterborough City Council, said: "I would encourage everyone to come along to the ceremony, but if you can't attend, then please support this worthwhile campaign. Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men at some point in their lives and this must not be tolerated.
"Please wear your white ribbon throughout this period to show that you believe domestic abuse is wrong, that no one should ever remain silent about it."
Cllr John Howard, White Ribbon ambassador for Peterborough City Council, said: “We raise the White Ribbon Flag as a visual reminder that domestic abuse must not be tolerated and of our commitment to supporting those who have survived any kinds of violent abuse against them in our city. I would also like to thank the Mayor and Mayoress for supporting White Ribbon Day and marking the occasion for the city.
“Peterborough City Council and our partners in the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership are fully committed to ending domestic abuse and violence. We aim to reach out to all those who are suffering abuse and help them to access the help that are available to them locally."
More information about White Ribbon Day can be found at www.whiteribbon.org.uk. Find out more about the support available at http://cambsdasv.org.uk/.
Impakt Domestic Abuse Service support victims of all genders and sexualities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and can be contacted directly on 0300 373 1073
To find out more about Peterborough Women’s Aid visit www.peterboroughwomensaid.co.uk.
You can also access information from Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership at https://caprcp.org.uk. Living Keys can be contacted via Facebook