White Ribbon Day - show your support for victims of domestic abuse

Royal Borough residents are being encouraged to wear white ribbons on Friday 28 November to show they don't condone or commit domestic abuse.

The ribbons - available from a staffed stand at Maidenhead railway station from 10am - 3pm - are in support of International White Ribbon Day which raises awareness of domestic abuse. While the international campaign focuses on abuse towards women, the borough's multi-agency domestic abuse forum will be using the campaign as an opportunity to highlight that men too can be victims of domestic abuse.
Forum members will be on hand on the day to offer advice and support to those who have suffered, or who are currently suffering domestic abuse, or professionals working with victims of domestic abuse who would like to become more involved with the forum. The white ribbon is a symbol that one will not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
All proceeds from the white ribbons will go towards East Berkshire Women's Aid and Kinara Asian Women's Service. East Berkshire Women's Aid provides refuge space, drop-in services, advocacy and outreach support for victims of domestic abuse. Kinara Asian Women's Service provides refuge accommodation in a culturally sensitive atmosphere to Asian women who are victims of domestic abuse.
Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for community safety, said: "Domestic abuse is a cowardly crime, often carried out behind closed doors; we therefore need to ensure that victims have the information and support they need and to let perpetrators know their behaviour will not be tolerated.

"It is important that we use the White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse in the Royal Borough so that victims know where to go for help, how to report domestic abuse, and what help and support there is available to them so they, and their children, can start to live a safer life."

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, added: "I am pleased that the council is supporting this latest campaign to raise the issues around domestic abuse and I will be wearing my white ribbon on the day.

"Even if children are not directly abused themselves they can be greatly affected by domestic abuse of a family member. "

Sophie Crowe, domestic abuse co-ordinator for Berkshire East, said: "The number of domestic abuse incidents reported to the police in the Royal Borough has risen over the last couple of years, which indicates that victims are feeling more confident to report incidents. This is positive as it means more offenders can be held accountable for their actions, and the victims seeking help can be provided with information and support from other agencies across the Royal Borough.

"We acknowledge that men may also be victims of domestic abuse and abuse and would likewise encourage them to come forward to seek help and support."

Domestic abuse does not just take place between partners, but it can also happen between family members (including siblings, parents and children). While it may be hard to acknowledge that a family member's behaviour is domestic abuse, there is help and support available, for example, seeking protection through an injunction.

To report domestic abuse to Thames Valley Police, call 999 in an emergency or 0845 8 505 505 in a non-emergency. To speak to someone in confidence, call East Berkshire Women's Aid on 01753 549865 or Kinara Asian Women's Service on 01753 573330. Men who are worried about their abusive behaviour can call the Changing Ways East Berkshire & Wokingham Perpetrator Programme on 07818 054563.

For more information about domestic abuse, and a full list of national and local support agencies, please visit the borough's domestic abuse forum's website at www.rbwmdvf.org.uk

In 2006/07 1,459 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to Thames Valley Police across Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot and in 2007/08 1,507 incidents were reported. Since April this year 799 incidents have been reported.

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