MEN and boys across the borough are being encouraged to #ChangeTheStory, to help reduce violence against women and girls.

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.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council received White Ribbon accreditation in October 2022 after developing a comprehensive three-year plan setting out action that it will take, alongside partners, to make a change.

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To mark White Ribbon Day on Saturday, November 25, the council will be in Festival Place to encourage residents to sign the White Ribbon Pledge, get a white ribbon to wear and find out more about what they can do and what the council is doing to help reduce violence against women and girls.

It will also be supporting White Ribbon UK’s #ChangeTheStory campaign which aims to challenge attitudes and behaviours that are harmful and can lead to more extreme cases of violence.

Cabinet member for communities, partnerships and inclusion, Cllr John McKay, said: "We all need to take responsibility for creating an environment where women and girls can live the lives they want to lead, without fear of violence.

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“In order to make the borough a safer place, we have been continuing to progress our action plan as part of our White Ribbon accreditation, as well as working towards accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance by the end of 2024/25 to ensure the right support is in place for victims of domestic abuse.

"To help us tackle inequality and violence, I encourage everyone to take the White Ribbon pledge this White Ribbon Day to #ChangeTheStory and help reduce violence against women and girls.”

Festival Place's head of marketing, Emily Palmer, said: “We wholeheartedly support the White Ribbon campaign and are very happy to host the council at Festival Place.

"We would urge all our visitors to pledge their support for the campaign and help share the message to #ChangeTheStory.” 

More information on the council's accreditation and action plan can be found at basingstoke.gov.uk/white-ribbon.