Leeds men encouraged to back campaign to end violence against women

Date: 22nd November 2016. Picture James Hardisty.
Chief Executive Tom Riordan, and Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council. Exec Member Children & Family Services, supporting the White Ribbon Campaign for a challenge across Leeds, to encourage at least1000 men to show their support and pledge they will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Pictured Tom Riordan, and Lisa Mulherin, with White Ribbon ambassadors and volunteers who will be taking to the street of Leeds, at the launch held at Leeds Civic Hall. — Date: 22nd November 2016. Picture James Hardisty. Chief Executive Tom Riordan, and Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council. Exec Member Children & Family Services, supporting the White Ribbon Campaign for a challenge across Leeds, to encourage at least1000 men to show their support and pledge they will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Pictured Tom Riordan, and Lisa Mulherin, with White Ribbon ambassadors and volunteers who will be taking to the street of Leeds, at the launch held at Leeds Civic Hall.

Leeds City Council has set itself the challenge of encouraging at least 1,000 men across the city to show their  support and pledge they will not  commit, condone or remain  silent about domestic violence.

The move comes as part of the international 16 days of Activism and White Ribbon  campaigns which both aim  to stop the crime across the world.

White Ribbon ambassadors and volunteers will be taking to the streets, offices and businesses of Leeds next week to raise awareness of domestic violence and ask men to make their pledge.

They will also be able to signpost people to the appropriate advice and guidance about any domestic violence concern.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin executive member responsible for children and families and lead for the domestic violence breakthrough project, said: “Tackling domestic violence and abuse is one of the greatest challenges facing the city, which is why we have made it a top priority to address.

“The physical and emotional damage to victims can last a life time. We estimate that one in four women will experience domestic violence and abuse at some time in their lives.

“We also know that many victims still keep silent and a major part of our work is to raise awareness and encourage more women to come forward for help and support.”

There were nearly 18,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse reported to the police in Leeds over the past year, but the true scale of the issue is not known as it is likely that many more went unreported.

And there have been 17 domestic homicides in the city since 2011 with all the victims being women.