Lancashire County Council is beginning two weeks of action to support White Ribbon Day from today (Wednesday 25 November).

The White Ribbon Campaign aims to reduce domestic abuse. Between April 2019 and March 2020, there were 22,009 police incidents in Lancashire relating to domestic violence. 96 people were killed by their current or former partner in England and Wales. 

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White Ribbon Day was established by men who wanted to stand up to abuse against women after the horrific shooting of 14 female students at Montreal University, Canada, in 1989. 

Following on from this massacre, a group of men in London Ontario started the White Ribbon Day movement in November 1991. Since then, the event has grown and now people across the world mark the two weeks of action. 

Lancashire County Council will be flying the White Ribbon flag on County Hall in Fishergate throughout the two weeks. The White Ribbon Day logo will be projected on to the building during the two weeks. 

Read more: Transgender flag flown at Preston Town Hall to honour those who died in anti-transgender violence

There will also be a White Ribbon Day display at the entrance of the Harris Library. The library is currently open between 10am and 2pm and 2pm until 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays, for people to pick up and drop off pre-ordered books at the entrance. 

County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “We want to spread the White Ribbon message and encourage men and boys to stand against all forms of abuse of women and girls at home, in the streets, in their workplace and everywhere. 

“We have a proud tradition of supporting this campaign and we became the first White Ribbon Accredited County in 2017. 

“This year’s campaign has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has meant we cannot hand out White Ribbon Badges or get people to physically sign the pledge. However, we’re still spreading the White Ribbon message by flying the flag at County Hall and on social media. 

“You can also sign a digital pledge on the White Ribbon Day website and there are some superb materials to download to help spread the message.” 

Carolo Humberto, executive director for the White Ribbon Campaign in Toronto, Canada, said: “White Ribbon symbolises a man’s pledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination. 

“We believe that men need to join efforts to bring about the transformational change that we need in order to bring an end to gender inequality and violence. 

“Feminism is good for people of all genders – it advocates for women’s safety, well-being and full inclusion in society.”

Guest post: ‘Survivors of domestic abuse face significant challenges during lockdown’

In Lancashire, the county council, Lancashire Police, the NHS and other partners have launched a #noexcuseforabuse campaign to help tackle all forms of domestic abuse across the county. To find out more, visit the #noexcuseforabuse website.

For more information about White Ribbon Day, visit the White Ribbon website.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Will you be signing the White Ribbon pledge? Let us know in the comments.