White Ribbon Day commitment to ending violence against women and girls
One in four women and one in seven men in England will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime (Refuge).
Buckinghamshire Council has demonstrated its commitment to preventing harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls by becoming an accredited White Ribbon organisation. White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls, and national White Ribbon Day is today (Monday 25 November).
The council has today also hosted the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Partnership’s conference, this year educating professionals on coercive control - a range of behaviours that allow someone to gain or keep control of a partner, ex-partner or family member through fear and humiliation. Guest speakers included David Challen, who successfully campaigned to free his mother from prison in a landmark coercive control case.
David Challen explained more about the coercive control his mother suffered:
“Our mother was only 15 when she met our father, 21. At first, he was charming, but gradually the abuse began. He bullied and humiliated her, isolated her from her friends and family, controlled who she could socialise with, controlled her money, restricted her movement and created a culture of fear and dependency. Our father fed into our mother’s mind that the abuse she was suffering over 40 years was normal.”
Other speakers included Professor Khatidja Chantler from Manchester Met University who shared her insights from over 20 years of researching gender-based violence, and Dr Emma Katz, the world’s leading academic expert on coercive control and its impacts on children.
Individuals and professionals can find out more about domestic abuse and access free training on the Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Partnership website: bucksdap.org.uk.
Read the council’s domestic abuse and violence against women and girls strategy here.
Arif Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities said:
“Fifty-seven people experience domestic abuse in Buckinghamshire every day. This is unacceptable. I am proud of the work the council is doing with other organisations to end domestic abuse and I would like to thank all our partner agencies for their continued support in addressing this issue.
“Relationship red flags can be hard to spot, especially early on. Controlling behaviour can be a form of domestic violence. Coercive control can include: making you feel guilty about seeing friends or family, checking up on where you’ve been and who you’re speaking to, controlling how much you spend, shouting at you or mocking you.
“If there are red flags in your relationship, or you’re worried about a friend or family member, talk to someone. The Buckinghamshire Domestic Abuse Services Helpline is available 24/7 on 01296 437777.”
Buckinghamshire Council is running a campaign to raise awareness of relationship red flags, helping people recognise the early signs of coercive control and domestic abuse, and where to find help. Find out more at Domestic abuse red flags | Buckinghamshire Council