Blackpool joins celebrations as Lancashire becomes first White Ribbon County

Blackpool joins celebrations as Lancashire becomes first White Ribbon County

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw is leading celebrations as his bid to make Lancashire the first White Ribbon county in the UK has resulted in public sector organisations across the county being accredited by the White Ribbon Campaign.

Blackpool on behalf of the Blackpool Domestic Abuse & Interpersonal Violence (DAIV) Partnership has now received White Ribbon status along with all Lancashire district councils, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and several health bodies.

Blackpool’s White Ribbon status marks a commitment and resolve to educate and raise awareness of violence against women and engaging men in this campaign.

This involved each organisation developing an action plan to support raising awareness of the anti-Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) campaign, including nominating of at least four male ambassadors to help take the campaign forward.

The Commissioner was joined by Chief Constable Andy Rhodes in hosting a celebration event at the Harris Museum in Preston today, 3 October 2017, to mark the occasion. Events were also held in Blackpool, Burnley and Pendle.

Commissioner Grunshaw and Chief Constable Rhodes accepted the official accreditation from White Ribbon UK alongside representatives from Lancashire County Council as other community leaders from across Lancashire also joined in the celebration.

Blackpool held its own event at the Winter Gardens today (3 Oct) to mark the occasion which was attended by a wide range of stakeholders who signed the White Ribbon Pledge.