White Ribbon – Suffolk police release video to show that it takes us all to act to create change

Suffolk Constabulary has released a video to mark White Ribbon Day, Monday 25 November, and the start of 16 days of action to raise awareness of the violence, abuse and harassment that disproportionately affects women and girls.

The video shows the collective voice across the constabulary that calls on members of the public to challenge unacceptable and outdated attitudes and behaviours, and encourage a culture of equality and mutual respect.

According to the White Ribbon charity, 70% of women in the UK say they have experienced sexual harassment in public.

3in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace.

Nearly a quarter of girls in mixed sex schools said they have experiences of unwanted sexual touching in schools.

Suffolk Constabulary works collaboratively with partner agencies, local councils, charities, retailers and bars, and pubs and clubs to address the root causes of gender-based violence and help tackle this issue year-round.

Superintendent Jasvinder Kaur said: “The White Ribbon campaign serves as a reminder to us all to challenge toxic, misogynistic behaviours and attitudes against women and girls.

“As a society we all need to take responsibility to effect long-term change, to prevent abusive and violent behaviour, and work together to promote safe and healthy relationships amongst all demographics of our society.

“As police officers, we have seen the awful reality of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and we encourage every victim to report these crimes so we can help break the cycle of offending.

“We are committed to investigating every report and want victims to have complete confidence that they will receive a professional and sensitive investigation where they will be provided with advice and support throughout.

“No one should feel unsafe in their homes, at work or out in their communities and as a constabulary we will work relentlessly to identify, pursue and prosecute perpetrators of violence, and other offending, against women and girls, and take every positive action to safeguard victims.”

Earlier this year Suffolk police launched a new service that uses digital technology that allows them to offer an initial remote call to further improve its support to victims of domestic abuse.

Call operators are trained to effectively risk assess domestic abuse-related calls and offer victims the option to speak with a police officer remotely and via a video link to obtain immediate details of the incident and initial evidence. This allows the victim flexibility to speak with an officer discreetly.

Throughout the White Ribbon campaign, Suffolk police will be signposting advice and the support services available on its social media. This includes raising awareness of:

• Clare’s Law, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, which gives victims and/or people connected to them the ‘right to ask’ police for previous history of violence or abuse of a partner
  
  
• Ask for Angela – is a discreet codeword you can use to ask pub and club staff for help if you feel unsafe or vulnerable on a night out
  
  
• Hollie Guard – is a personal safety app that identifies the phone’s GPS tracker and captures both video and audio to share with a user’s chosen contacts when activated.
  
  
• The Sexual Abuse Referral Centre - provides specialist tailored support to victims, including medical examinations following a recent rape or sexual assault, which can be done without any police involvement https://www.theferns-suffolk.org.uk
  
  
• Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Unit - is a six-month programme aimed at changing the unacceptable behaviour of offenders of domestic abuse.
  For more information about the DAPU programme, please contact [email protected].

Further help and advice is available on the Suffolk police website:

Advice about domestic abuse | Suffolk Constabulary

Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Suffolk Constabulary

Stalking and harassment | Suffolk Constabulary

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “'Domestic abuse is the most appalling crime and we need to do all we can to stop it.  No-one should have to live with the fear of violence or controlling behaviour.

"Through our commissioning, my office funds a large number of organisations such as Lighthouse Women’s Aid, Brave Futures and Survivors in Transition which support victims of violence and abuse, and Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Service which delivers the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service, providing specialist support dedicated to the individual needs of victims of domestic abuse.

“We also fund perpetrator projects to help violent men change their behaviour which has proved extremely successful.

“Council tax precept has allowed us to invest in rapid video response, specifically designed to support victims of domestic abuse and make it as easy as possible for victims to report, which I am absolutely sure Suffolk taxpayers will agree is money well spent.”