Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:1)         That the Council commit to achieving White Ribbon UK accreditation.

2)            That the budget required to support the achievement and ongoing commitment to accreditation be allocated. 

Reason for Decision

White Ribbon UK accreditation would build on the Council’s existing commitment to preventing domestic abuse by enabling the Council to:

• Demonstrate commitment to preventing harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls.
• Create safer communities and a safer work environment.
• Meet legislative duties, such as those defined within the Equality Act 2010 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Support the Government priority to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), as outlined in the ‘Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy’, July 2021.

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Councillor Rust presented the report on The White Ribbon which was the globally recognised symbol for the campaign to end men’s violence against women and girls. White Ribbon UK campaigned to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing the root causes of men’s violence against women: harmful attitudes, behaviours and systems around rigid gender norms and harmful expressions of masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and gender-based violence.

In 2023, the Council signed the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioners ‘HEAR pledge’, which was based on the White Ribbon campaign and aimed to break the silence around domestic abuse and provide help and support in the workplace.  White Ribbon accreditation was a commitment made by workplaces to work towards transformational change in their staff culture, systems and communities to make work a safe place for everyone.  Obtaining White Ribbon UK accreditation would strengthen the Council’s current commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

Councillor Rust drew attention to the fact that the Council at its meeting on 31 October 2024 had adopted a Motion on the White Ribbon accreditation proposed by Councillor Ware and seconded by Councillor Sayers.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Ware spoke in support of the proposal.

RESOLVED:1)         That the Council commit to achieving White Ribbon UK accreditation.

2)            That the budget required to support the achievement and ongoing commitment to accreditation be allocated. 

Reason for Decision

White Ribbon UK accreditation would build on the Council’s existing commitment to preventing domestic abuse by enabling the Council to:

• Demonstrate commitment to preventing harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls.
• Create safer communities and a safer work environment.
• Meet legislative duties, such as those defined within the Equality Act 2010 and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Support the Government priority to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), as outlined in the ‘Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy’, July 2021.