Soroptimists show support for white ribbon campaign

Soroptimists show support for white ribbon campaign

21 December 2016

MEMBERS of Downpatrick Soroptimists met last week at the St Patrick Visitor Centre in Downpatrick to show their support for the white ribbon campaign.

The campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls and was formed by a group of pro-feminist men in 1991 as a response to the massacre of female students at the École Polytechnique in Ontario in 1989. 

The campaign raises awareness about the prevalence of male violence against women, with the ribbon symbolising “the idea of men giving up their arms.”

It is active in over 60 countries, with the campaign seeking to promote healthy relationships, gender equity and a compassionate vision of  masculinity.

Soroptimists say people who wear a white ribbon pledge ‘never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women’ and that most men are opposed to violence against women and girls.  

The Downpatrick Soroptimists say they support work being undertaken to create a culture where male violence, abuse and harassment against women and girls is seen as unacceptable and are fully supportive of the white ribbon campaign to take a stand against gender violence in the workplace, school, in communities and families.

Shocking statistics reveal that in 2014/15 in Northern Ireland, almost 28,300 incidents with a domestic motivation were reported to the PSNI. In addition, police responded to a domestic incident every 19 minutes of every day. Also during 2014/15, there were a reported 13,426 domestic abuse crimes, accounting for around 13 per cent of the overall crime in Northern Ireland. 

The Women’s Aid helpline telephone number is available from their website https://www.womensaidni.org/resources.