Council achieves recognition for tackling violence against women and girls

Tameside Council has achieved White Ribbon accreditation in recognition to its commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

VAWG refer to acts of violence or abuse that disproportionately affect women and girls including rape and other sexual offences, stalking, domestic abuse and honour-based abuse.

The White Ribbon Accreditation programme provides a framework to support organisations to develop a holistic approach to tackling these issues.

A key element of the accreditation is the recruitment of male ambassadors across as many levels and departments within the organisation as possible. It seeks to develop a culture where men are allies and employees feel supported and enabled to disclose any issue they are facing.

Tameside Council has as an established record of supporting the White Ribbon campaign and last year involved key local football clubs and all pubs and bars in encouraging men to make a stand against violence against women and girls.

As part of the accreditation, the council now has a steering group of men and women officers and members, representing different services and levels, acting as White Ribbon ambassadors and champions to help raise awareness and recognise and address any abusive and sexist behaviours.The steering group is working to produce a three year action plan to drive the work.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health Cllr Eleanor Wills said: “We recognise the important role that workplaces have to play in addressing society’s attitudes and beliefs that contribute to harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls and are pleased to achieve accreditation for our work on this. We all – both men and women – have a part to play in driving cultural change and making any form of physical or emotional abuse or harassment wholly unacceptable.”

To find out more about the White Ribbon campaign see www.whiteribbon.org.uk