Council is reaccredited for work to reduce violence against women and girls

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been recognised for its commitment to ending violence against women and girls by being reaccredited by White Ribbon UK.

White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages people, especially men and boys, to act and change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence individually and collectively. Wearing a white ribbon demonstrates an individual's promise to never excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

Recognising the targeted work as part of a three-year plan, which included actions such as revising and developing domestic abuse policies, encouraging ambassadors and champions to share messages and raising awareness in the community, the borough council has been reaccredited to October 2028.

This follows the borough council first achieving White Ribbon accreditation in 2022 and sits closely with the work around domestic abuse.

Building on this work, the council will now start work on a new three-year programme to change the attitudes and cultures that lead to abuse and violence. This will include working with victims and survivors to make sure the information gathered is done sensitively and appropriately, recruiting more men to be champions and working with the licensing team to review the safety around the evening and night time economy in the borough.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Partnerships and Inclusion Cllr John McKay said: "Everyone has a responsibility and a part to play in creating environments that women and girls can live lives free from the fear of violence. This reaccreditation is one part of the important work the council does to combat inequality and violence in all forms.

"The continuation of this work will be supported by our partners and will help to increase safety in our borough. I encourage residents and visitors to the borough to show their support by taking the White Ribbon pledge."

Residents can find more information about the council's work as part of the White Ribbon accreditation and how to take the White Ribbon pledge on the council website: www.basingstoke.gov.uk/white-ribbon