White Ribbon Relay Stops Off in Borough

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Mayor joins campaigners against domestic violence

The White Ribbon Relay, a month long campaign highlighting the link between major sporting events and violence against women, stopped off this week in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Cllr Belinda Donovan, Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham was on hand to greet the relay participants as they arrived at Lyric Square and was joined by Police Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Lucy D’Orsi.

Visitors to the Lyric Square event at lunchtime on Wednesday, July 18 were able to find out more about local organisations that actively tackle domestic abuse-related issues and were encouraged to have fun with a range of activities.

The White Ribbon Relay is timely as it coincides with both the Olympics and the recent European football championships taking centre stage this summer. Every year there are more than one million victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales, with calls to police spiking markedly around major sporting events.

The White Ribbon Relay encourages local people to pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and focuses especially on the need for men to take a stand.

Cllr Donovan said the relay event was important to highlight the facts about domestic violence. She said: " Domestic violence is a serious crime which has the potential to destroy families. Victims need to know that there are support services available to them and that ultimately they do not have to suffer in silence or face their fears alone.

" We are so pleased that the White Ribbon Relay came through Hammersmith, raising awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence. It’s been a great opportunity for residents to take part in art activities and also chat to providers of local domestic abuse related services."

After its visit to Hammersmith, the relay event became part of a cycle convoy which took the baton to Westminster on a route along the river. Following a sojourn in Westminster, the baton will travel to other London boroughs, including Camden, Tower Hamlets and Newham, prior to being passed back to the Portsmouth White Ribbon Group by the Mayor of London’s Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime on July 23.

The month-long relay campaign has been developed by The Portsmouth White Ribbon Group in partnership with Standing Together and frontline domestic and sexual violence survivor service Aurora New Dawn, with support from White Ribbon UK.

Launched in Portsmouth on June 23, the baton is making 25 stops across England and Wales, each of which includes a special event.

July 20, 2012