Sutton Council welcomes White Ribbon accreditation

Sutton Council has received accreditation by White Ribbon UK for its commitment to ending male violence against women.

White Ribbon is a global campaign that encourages people, and especially men and boys, to act and change the behaviour and culture that leads to abuse and violence.

As part of the accreditation, a number of male councillors and senior managers will act as ‘ambassadors’ - advocating to end violence against women and helping to raise awareness of the issue within the local community. To retain the accreditation, the Council will also develop and deliver an action plan over the next three years, working closely with key partner agencies (e.g. schools) and voluntary and community sector organisations, to address behaviours or attitudes that excuse or enable male violence against women and girls. 

Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:

“I am immensely proud that Sutton Council has achieved White Ribbon accreditation. We have done a great deal already, but there is still a lot more to be done. As well as working with staff and our internal networks to promote a positive environment for women, and an environment where people are freely able challenge stereotypes, we work closely with community partners, schools and organisations to promote women’s safety and equality.”

“Changing peoples’ perceptions, and challenging outdated perceptions of women and girls, are at the heart of what we are trying to achieve here in Sutton. By working together, as a community, by continuing to raise awareness about women’s safety, we can make a difference in our society.”

Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK Anthea Sully said:

“Sutton Council now has four volunteer White Ribbon male ambassadors - senior managers and councillors - to act as advocates to end violence against women, helping to raise awareness of the issue within the local community. White Ribbon accreditation reinforces the commitment that Sutton is already making by working closely with partners and charities who provide domestic abuse support services, and with schools and colleges, to educate and inform young men and girls.”

There is already a lot of good work going on across Sutton to identify and support survivors of abuse, for example, Sutton Women’s Centre has been  using the Council’s Covid Recovery Fund to train members of the community to become ‘Ask Me Ambassadors’. Ambassadors learn about all forms of domestic abuse and how to support survivors to seek help through the Women’s Aid ‘Change That Lasts Ask Me' training.

On Saturday 5 March, the community joined together to unveil a commemorative bench in Sutton, dedicated to all women and girls who have lost their lives to male violence. The mosaic bench, which features the words of the White Ribbon Promise - “Never commit, excuse or remain silent” - was  designed and made by artists Samia Tossio and Hana Horack Elyafi of SamiArt who led creative workshops for the community. Residents were asked to create their own mosaic hearts to take away while participating in conversations raising awareness of this global issue.

The bench was installed with the help of Successful Sutton BID and Sutton Council.

You can make the White Ribbon UK Promise, to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women, at whiteribbon.org.uk

Find out more about Sutton Women’s Centre Ask Me training.