The University of Chester has become the first university in the north west to gain White Ribbon Status.
The institution is only the second university in the UK to win the White Ribbon Award, which recognises its commitment to support the aims of the White Ribbon campaign: Never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.
Most men do not commit violence against women. But all men have a role in ending it.
The white ribbon is a symbol of hope for a world where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence.
Wearing the ribbon is about challenging the acceptability of violence – by getting men involved, helping women to break the silence, and encouraging everyone to come together to build a better world for all.
The White Ribbon Award is in recognition of the leading role that the University of Chester is playing in creating an environment where students can feel safe.
University of Chester employee wins national catering award
The university promotes independence alongside responsibility and safety through ground breaking initiatives such as the intervention initiative, a bystander education programme which aims to train students on the tell-tale signs of when sexual coercion or domestic abuse is happening, and how they can safely intervene to stop it occurring.
The intervention initiative programme as taught by the University of Chester’s School of Law has been awarded gold standard by Dr R Fenton, the developer of this national programme.
Other initiatives carried out at the university include academic research into the area of domestic violence against women, consent campaigns and an annual White Ribbon Event at Chester Student’s Union.
The university has a number of White Ribbon ambassadors; male members of staff who make a personal commitment to join women and women's organisations in taking action to end this problem.
In recognition of this work, a certificate and plaque has been presented to the university by David Boardman of the White Ribbon Campaign Organisation.
Adrian Lee, pro-vice-chancellor, university secretary and director of legal services, said: "I am proud that the university has been recognised in this way – and to be the first in the north west is particularly pleasing.
"The University of Chester fully supports the White Ribbon campaign. We will continue, through our actions, to show that we are committed to doing all we can to help prevent domestic abuse.”
You can sign your personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men's violence against women here: http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/makepledge
