Ayrshire College department signs the White Ribbon Scotland pledge
Ayrshire College's Construction Technology and Trades department has become the latest team to sign the White Ribbon Scotland pledge to end violence against women.
Signed by Cameron Bell, Head of Construction Technology, Trades, Motor Vehicle and Horticulture at Ayrshire College, on behalf of all students and staff in the department, the pledge reads: "I pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women in all its forms."
The College team announced it was taking part in the White Ribbon Scotland status project on 25 November 2020 - a date which officially begins the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence campaign.
16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence stems from the original movement, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, and is aimed at businesses to support them to take action against domestic abuse and violence.
Sara Turkington, Equality and Inclusion Advisor at Ayrshire College, said: "This underlines our commitment to tackling gender-based violence and that as a College, we know we have the power to influence behaviours and change lives. By taking part, we are making the pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about male violence against women."
Davy Thompson, White Ribbon Scotland Campaign Director, said: "The first thing we can do to make a difference is to end the silence and speak up about the issue. We need to educate men more about the issue so they have a better understanding of the types and extent of violence against women. By addressing gender equality we address male violence against women so we should ensure gender equality policies are actually applied rather than simply being something which lets us tick a box.
"We are clear at White Ribbon Scotland that we do not deny gender-based violence also happens to men and in same-sex relationships. On our website we signpost men who are survivors of gender-based violence to contact Abused Men in Scotland who can provide support. We occasionally take calls from male survivors and always spend time with them to discuss their needs.
"However by any measure the most common example of gender-based violence is male violence against women. For example two women per week in the UK are killed by a partner or ex-partner; a statistic not repeated when the genders are reversed. We concentrate on male violence against women as we believe our campaign needs focus if we want to properly engage men to play their part."
4 December 2020
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