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Residents of South Tyneside are being encouraged to support a campaign aimed at eliminating abuse against women and girls.

This Friday (25 November) is White Ribbon Day which seeks to highlight and end male violence against women and girls with a programme of awareness raising and campaigning and with a particular focus on the need to engage with men and boys.

This year White Ribbon Days falls in the same week as the start of the FIFA men's World Cup, providing the perfect opportunity for men and boys to think about how they can make a positive difference to achieve equality and safety for women and girls.

A plaque will also be unveiled at South Shields Town Hall to mark the Council achieving White Ribbon accreditation and its commitment to deliver a comprehensive action plan to change the cultures that lead to abuse and violence and promote gender equality.

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities and Domestic Abuse Member Champion, said: "We only decided to go for White Ribbon accreditation at the start of this year so a huge amount of progress has been made in a very short space of time. Both the Council and South Tyneside Homes are now accredited, meaning we can use all our teams and services to tackle the issue."

The Council is encouraging members of the public to wear a white ribbon in support of the campaign and to pledge never to commit, excuse or remain silent about domestic violence against women and girls. The ribbons are available from South Shields Town Hall Reception, Customer Services Reception, Hawthorne Reception, Haven Point Reception and Hebburn Central Reception.

In addition to wearing a white ribbon, people can also show their support by signing the White Ribbon Pledge at  and can download a range of other resources at There is also a link to download resources at

Councillor Berkley added: "With White Ribbon Day falling in the same week as the start of the World Cup, there has never been a better time for us all to come together and work as a team to achieve the goal of ending violence against women and girls.

"Violence and abuse against women and girls is utterly unacceptable. It's time to stand together and speak up. By wearing a white ribbon, we can show our support for the cause and start important conversations with one another with the ultimate aim of driving abuse against women and girls from our communities for good."

Anyone affected by domestic violence can get help and support from the following organisations in South Tyneside:

• Restart Domestic Abuse Service - provides confidential, non-judgemental support to those living and working in South Tyneside who are experiencing all forms of domestic abuse.  Support is available for both male and female victims of abuse, children who have been impacted by domestic abuse and a tailored behaviour change programme for anyone who is causing harm.  Contact be made via domesticabusereferrals@southtyneside.gov.uk / 07977 595 910

• Impact Family Services provides support and advice to females or males, over 16, who have suffered domestic abuse or been affected by it and can be contacted on 07375788835or visit  

• Respect is a confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. It can be reached on 0808 8024040

• Places for People Women's Refuge offers advice and support as well as providing safe, temporary and emergency accommodation to women, with or without children, at risk of domestic abuse and can be contacted on (0191) 454 8257.

In an emergency, victims are always urged to call 999.

For further information about domestic abuse, how to report an incident or details of local support services, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/domesticviolence