This excellent Council Motion was moved by the Liberal Democrat Group in Watford in February 2022.
Below is a template you can adapt for your local area to campaign against Violence against Women in your area.
Council notes:
- Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in modern society, highlighted most recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman.
- According to national crime statistics in the UK, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.
- A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.
- The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man
- A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become ‘normalised’ for children and young people.
Council recognises:
- TRY TO REFERENCE THE WORK OF A LOCAL CHARITY THAT SUPPORTS FEMALE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, AND EDUCATES PEOPLE LOCALLY. MENTION AS MANY AS RELEVENT.
- White Ribbon is the leading charity in the UK with a mission to end male violence against women and is part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.
Council believes:
- Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.
- More focus should be placed on changing men’s behaviour than on women taking action to make themselves safer.
Council resolves to:
- Encourage all male councillors to take the White Ribbon pledge, never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women.
- Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies which have already done so; and
- As part of this, mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year and encourage participation among councillors, council staff and local organisations.
- Ask [INSERT LOCAL CHARITY] group to look into how the council can support campaigns for the end of violence against women and the promotion of healthy relationships.
- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to request further work be done in support of all elements of this motion.
- Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.