Residents are being asked to pledge their support for the White Ribbon campaign this November.

White Ribbon is a global campaign to end violence against women.

Violent crime was the most reported crime in East Cambridgeshire between April 2023 and March 2024, with 1789 incidents recorded. Of those, a significant proportion would have been against women and girls.

The East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership brings together representatives from the Police, Fire Service, NHS, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and Sanctuary Housing, as well as other organisations working together to protect the local community from crime and help people feel safe.

We are marking this year’s awareness raising event with a stall on Ely Markets on Thursday 21 November. Staff from the council and Sanctuary will be available to encourage people to sign up to the White Ribbon promise.

Lis Every, Chair of the East Cambs Community Safety Partnership, said: “Culture change doesn’t happen overnight, but by talking about it more and helping to raise awareness we can end violence against women and girls in our lifetimes.

“This year we are encouraging as many people as possible to sign the White Ribbon promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”

As a White Ribbon accredited organisation, East Cambridgeshire District Council is fully committed to raising awareness about this serious issue and are fully engaged in supporting residents learn about what they can do to prevent violence against women and girls from happening in the first place.

Many staff members have also signed up as White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions. In these roles, they ensure the White Ribbon message of allyship, accountability and equality are upheld.

Council leader, Anna Bailey, said: “I really hope as many people as possible will choose to engage with this year’s White Ribbon campaign. At the council we are committed to helping everyone we can who may be experiencing domestic violence or other abuse. While we would always encourage people to report incidents to the police or CrimeStoppers, we are also here to help with signposting for advice including housing, benefits and other community support.”

White Ribbon day on 25 November will also see Ely Cathedral lit up in white in support of the campaign.

For more information, please visit the White Ribbon website.