Katy Clark MP for North Ayrshire and Arran voiced her support for White Ribbon Day, a campaign for the elimination of violence against women.
November 25th is an internationally recognised day that is aimed towards men to encourage them to take action against violence towards women. The theme of the campaign is to encourage men to discuss, reflect and make a pledge against violence against women.
Recent statistics show that 88% of domestic abuse is committed by men against women, and in Scotland alone one in five women will experience some form of domestic abuse at some point in their life.
Speaking on this issue Katy Clark MP said, “In North Ayrshire the level of domestic abuse is high, with 1106 cases officially reported to Strathclyde Police in 2006/07, and an increase to 1448 in 2007/08. The local Woman’s Aid had 14,550 contacts for 2007/08. They had requests for refuge from 152 women and 183 children, of which 114 women and 105 children were admitted. We should be working towards reducing the level domestic abuse, and campaigns such as this one raise awareness and tackle the barriers that allow these inexcusable actions to continue”.
White Ribbon Day, which is formally recognised by the United Nations, aims not just to tackle violence against women, but also the basis that enables it to happen – gender inequality.
Katy continued, “White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to stand up and say that you do not think violence against women is acceptable. I urge men to speak out and show their support.”