RBC earns White Ribbon Accreditation to help end violence against women and girls
Last updated: 8/8/2024
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has achieved White Ribbon Accreditation and is committed to working towards eliminating attitudes and behaviours that can lead to violence against women and girls.
The accreditation aligns with White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls in the workplace and local community.
As a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, RBC will deliver a comprehensive multi-year plan to support positive action across the organisation and the wider community.
RBC will ensure its HR policies align with the White Ribbon values and are shared across the organisation, implement staff training, raise awareness through the national campaign, work in collaboration with local partners, explore and utilise funding opportunities and schemes to support victims of abuse.
Specialised training for Housing Options Officers commissioned by Nottinghamshire County Council is also in place as part of the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board Action Plan.
The action plan will help to eliminate attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence against women and will provide opportunities to raise awareness and broaden knowledge so that staff and Councillors become positive changemakers.
At a Full Council meeting earlier this year on March 7, a motion was passed to seek re-accreditation as a White Ribbon UK organisation.As a part of the accreditation, the authority has set up a Steering Group of officers from across the Council who are currently working to put together a three-year action plan.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment & Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We are very pleased to announce that we are now White Ribbon Accredited, showing our commitment to ending violence against women within our workplace and wider community.
“We have current measures in place and have a very active role in multi-agency partnerships including Nottinghamshire Police, Domestic Abuse Partnership Board and local services that support victims of abuse.
“We also recognise that violence is not only directed against women and girls, and not always carried out by men and physical violence is not the only form of abuse.
“We’re proud to support the White Ribbon campaign and over the next three years, our work will focus on learning how to identify and root out harmful attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence.
“Changing attitudes and behaviours is key to ensuring our workplace is a safe and equal environment for all.
“Our White Ribbon Steering Group is now in place and we’re continuing to encourage Councillors and employees across the authority to Make the White Ribbon Promise and become an Ambassador for men, and Champions for women.
“We are proud to work in partnership to help eliminate abuse in all its forms.”
Anthea Sully, Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK added: “White Ribbon Accredited Organisations can make a real difference towards ending violence against women by promoting a culture of respect and equality among their staff and wider communities.
“By raising awareness among employees, people can learn how to become allies and call out violent and abusive behaviour when they see it.
“We are delighted to welcome Rushcliffe Borough Council as one of our White Ribbon Accredited Organisations and are looking forward to working with them towards ending violence against women once and for all”.