White Ribbon in Connah's Quay to support a global movement aiming to end violence against women

Connah's Quay town councillors and members of the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit came together to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign.

White Ribbon UK was founded in 2005 and is part of a global movement aiming to end male violence against women by challenging male attitudes and behaviours.

November 25 marks White Ribbon Day, aiming to raise awareness of the cause and challenge that stigma. As a result, white ribbon was tied around a large tree on Connah's Quay High Street.

The aim of which to tell passers-by that help and support is out there.

Cllr Pam Attridge, who helps organise the event with DASU, said: "It's something I'm proud to do. I have supported DASU since 20122 when I was first chair. They do a fantastic job in Shotton and now they work across Denbighshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Flintshire.

"It's not getting anywhere, it seems to be something that is happening a lot, very often behind closed doors."

The tying of the ribbon in the Flintshire town was first started by former Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant who wanted to do his bit to raise awareness.

The event has continued in his memory.

Carl Sargeant played a central role in the early development of the legislation in Wales to prevent violence against women (later titled the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Act 2015).

George Howat, deputy manager for the outreach service at DASU added: "We support White Ribbon Day. It's about men standing up against violence towards women and girls and that's something we do on a daily basis - supporting victims and engaging with the community. That is what's important about this event.

"It's nice to highlight it on November 25 but it's all year round. This event helps to raise the profile of the issue with the local community and people driving past, they see it and they wonder what it is about and maybe go online to find out more about it.

"It also helps in reaching people we don't normally reach. In all areas it is a massive issue in regards to it being massively under reported.

"We know we are only dealing with the tip of the iceberg. Police often want to see crime figures dropping but we want people to feel safe, we want them to feel confident enough to report things, or disclose and access information."

This year, the theme of White Ribbon Day is ‘creating a future without male violence against women’ and the charity has said they are focusing on engaging with young men and boys in particular.