Wear a white ribbon and help end domestic abuse

It’s one of a series of initiatives and events organised by the Council’s Domestic Abuse coordinator Natalie Tanner to raise awareness of domestic abuse within the borough.

Natalie, who is based with the Community Safety Partnership, will officially launch the Council’s white ribbon campaign at Civic Offices on Thursday 27 November.

“Wearing a white ribbon is a sign of your support to ending violence against women,” said Natalie, who, as a former South Wales Police officer, has seen the effects of domestic abuse first hand.

“It’s especially important that men and boys wear the white ribbon, which is why we are so delighted that the Celtic Crusaders have agreed to show their support.

“We must also remember that domestic abuse can also affect men and that abuse can be mental and emotional as well as physical. I really hope that by promoting the white ribbon it will get people thinking about this very significant issue.”

Celtic Crusaders Community Development Officer Matthew Pritchard added “This is a very important initiative which we are pleased to support and by wearing the white ribbon we hope it will raise awareness of domestic abuse and help develop ways to prevent it."

“If this is happening to you we at Celtic Crusaders can only urge you not to put up with it and to seek assistance via Bridgend Women’s Aid or the Welsh Domestic Abuse Helpline.”

White ribbons will be available at a number of places around the borough for a suggested price of £1, including:

· Civic Offices, Bridgend (November 27)

· Tesco Brewery Lane (December 2).

· Tesco Maesteg (December 3)

· The Rhiw Shopping Centre (December 4)

White ribbons will also be on sale at Maesteg, Porthcawl and Bridgend police stations and at the Valleys2Coast offices on Court Road, Bridgend and Sensi Beauty in Maesteg.

And this is just the start of Natalie’s work. Over the next few months she will be working on other campaigns to highlight and reduce domestic violence.

She will be working closely with the re-formed Bridgend Domestic Abuse Forum which brings voluntary and statutory agencies together in partnership to tackle domestic abuse

Natalie added: “It’s recognised that those experiencing domestic abuse may require assistance from a number of agencies, therefore having a joint approach is very important.”

Useful Contacts

· Natalie Tanner: 01656 679945.

· Bridgend Women’s Aid: 01656 766139

· Welsh Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 80 10 800

Click here to view more photos of the White Ribbon Campaign