Council joins local football clubs in support of White Ribbon Campaign

The theme for this year is "We Speak Up", so the authority is calling on men and boys to call out harmful behaviours, which could include speaking up if they hear sexist jokes or inappropriate comments, and calling out disrespect.

In the last 12 months, more than 16,000 women and girls have been victims of violence across Lancashire.

The annual White Ribbon Campaign runs from Tuesday 25 November to Monday 10 December.

During this time there will be White Ribbon materials displayed at County Hall in Preston, in 24 libraries across Lancashire (see notes to editors for the full list) and at Clitheroe Castle Museum and Lancashire Archives.

The Children & Family Wellbeing Service will involve families and young people in discussions about the White Ribbon campaign at Family Hubs across Lancashire, including in Colne, Ribbleton, Skelmersdale and Lancaster (see notes to editors for the full list).

Cllr Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities is pictured with Cllr Ella Worthington, lead member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities

Specialist domestic violence workers from Lancashire County Council (LCC) will also be at local football matches.

The first game they will attend is Burnley v Chelsea on Saturday 22 November when they will be speaking to fans before the match at Turf Moor to highlight the White Ribbon Campaign.

Staff from LCC will also be at the Blackburn Rovers game against QPR on Wednesday 26 November, Accrington Stanley v Oldham on Saturday 29 November and two matches on Tuesday 9 December which are Preston North End v Coventry City and Fleetwood v Salford.

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said:   

"We are proud to back the White Ribbon Campaign at Lancashire County Council and I will be encouraging others to speak up and call out comments that aren't appropriate.  We must all play our part in making sure women and girls feel safe in our communities.

"By standing together and challenging harmful attitudes, we can help make Lancashire a place where women and girls are safe, supported and respected.

"The County Council is tackling violence against women and girls head-on, not just talking about it.  We have appointed a dedicated champion who speaks out against violence against women and girls, Cllr Maria Jones, and we are working with police, health services and community groups to change attitudes, protect victims and stop abuse before it starts and making it clear that violence and abuse have no place in Lancashire."