Borough Life Winter 2006: 16 days to change the world
This issue of Borough Life is being delivered borough-wide between the 25th November and the 10th December.
The dates coincide with the ‘16 Days of Action’ – an international campaign highlighting the issue of violence against women – and the White Ribbon Campaign, when men across the world wear white ribbons to signify their opposition to violence against women.
Saturday 25th November is International Day to End Violence Against Women and Sunday 10th December is International Human Rights Day, so the dates provide a symbolic link between violence against women and their human rights.
The 16 day period will be used to raise public awareness of the issues. Men around the world – and here in Wigan borough – will be urged to wear a white ribbon to demonstrate their support and solidarity.
Campaigners also want to improve services to women experiencing violence. Following two high profile and terrible tragedies in Wigan recently, it seems change can’t come soon enough to this part of the world.
Domestic violence co-ordinator Michelle Phillips is responsible for working with local agencies to better identify and protect victims of domestic violence – before it’s too late.
She said: “Carly Fairhurst and Angela Cash were killed by the very people they once looked to for the love and care many of us take for granted. We can’t stand still waiting for it to happen again. We are now putting the systems in place to help frontline staff who may come into contact with victims to work with each other to meet the needs of individual victims.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can contact any one of the following agencies for confidential information, advice and support:- DIAS – 01942 495230
- WAVE – 01942 262290 (24 hours)
- Women’s Aid – 01942 496094.
- Victim Support and Witness Service – 01942 322033.
- Wigan Council Adult Services – 01942 828777.
- Greater Manchester Police Family Support & Domestic Violence Unit – 0161 856 7954/5/6/7.
- 24 Hour National Helpline – Freephone 0808 2000 247
- .In an emergency, phone 999.