Congleton Town Council's White Ribbon Group had a stall in the town centre recently, encouraging shoppers to chat about the White Ribbon Campaign and make their White Ribbon Promise.

The White Ribbon Campaign engages men specifically to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that lead to men's violence against women.

Congleton Town Council is a White Ribbon Accredited organisation. Its White Ribbon Ambassadors ask people to make the promise "never to commit, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women or any gender-based violence and abuse".

Congleton has an instance of domestic abuse reported to the Police every day, on average, and of sexual violence weekly.

Cheshire Police has prioritised violence against women and girls and secured £3m of additional funding for this work. The local Beat Team has told the Town Council that the publicity of the White Ribbon campaign helps to give people confidence to report abuse; as a result, arrest rates have increased.

Cllr Robert Moreton, Congleton Town Mayor, has registered to become a White Ribbon Ambassador and spent time chatting to people on the stall. 

He said "The team had some really good conversations with local people, a lot of whom stopped to make their promise, which is great."

White Ribbon Ambassador Mike Wesley said "Many of the men we spoke to were keen to sign up and make it clear that they know that this is a problem and they want to help. As always happens on these occasions, we also spoke to people worried about people they know. One person was especially concerned about a female work colleague in an abusive relationship, and took some information and contact numbers to give to her."

The White Ribbon Group consists of Town Councillors, Council officers, and volunteers from the community who are White Ribbon Ambassadors.

The team delivers workshops with local high schools and is happy to give talks at sports clubs, businesses or any other organisation that is interested. The Council is also planning a public awareness session in the Town Hall.

Individuals can make their promise at any time online at www.whiteribbon.org.uk.

If any charity, club or business is interested in becoming a White Ribbon organisation, contact the team via [email protected] and a member of the White Ribbon Group will get in touch.