THE CITY is uniting against violence to women on White Ribbon Day..
Worcester City Councillor Sarah Murray has been leading the charge for change.
Last year, her White Ribbon motion garnered unanimous support, resulting in the City Council’s steps towards becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation.
White Ribbon UK is a global campaign dedicated to ending violence against women by promoting positive masculinity, respect, and support for survivors. The initiative calls on supporters, particularly men and boys, to pledge never to use, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women.
Since championing this initiative, Coun Murray has trained as a domestic abuse champion through Worcester Community Trust’s Dawn Project, enabling her to recognise and direct victims of domestic abuse to essential support services.
Recently, she also encouraged her fellow councillors to take the White Ribbon pledge and become White Ribbon Champions and Ambassadors—a call that has received a positive response from City Council members.
Local businessman Stuart Wild, inspired by Coun Murray’s dedication, is also working towards White Ribbon accreditation for his business, Hoge 100.
He said: “Our team fully supports the principles behind White Ribbon, and it’s time we use our platform to reinforce the message that violence against women is never acceptable.”
Mr Wild’s efforts reflect a growing movement within Worcester’s business community to stand in solidarity against gender-based violence.
Coun Murray, who lost a close friend to domestic abuse in the early 1990s, continued: “Unless we all acknowledge the reality of violence against women and girls, this can too easily become a token gesture. We must confront and change our culture—a culture where women are still not treated as equal members of society. Men hold the key. We need to stop objectifying women,
stop treating them as second-class citizens, and stand up to sexism and misogyny.”
And to mark White Ribbon Day, Worcestershire Women’s Aid and Worcester Community Trust are hosting a public event at The Guildhall in Worcester on Monday November 25 from 11 am to 2 pm.
The event will include resources and discussions led by local advocates and provide the public with information on available services.
