Organisations across Suffolk have pledged their support for this year's White Ribbon Campaign, which aims to #ChangeTheStory to end violence against women and girls. 

Representatives from Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk's Community Safety Partnership, Suffolk Libraries and specialist support organisations, gathered at Suffolk County Council's headquarters, Endeavour House this afternoon, to sign the White Ribbon Pledge.  

White Ribbon is the UK's leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. The annual White Ribbon campaign strives to change long-established attitudes, behaviours and systems around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and men's violence against women.  

This year, individuals and organisations are being encouraged to make consistent choices and actions so that we #ChangeTheStory for women and girls to live their lives free from the fear of violence. 

White Ribbon Day (25 November) begins 16 days of action to help end domestic abuse and to highlight support available for women and girls, both nationally and locally. 

Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, said: "Suffolk County Council is a proud supporter of the White Ribbon campaign. 

"Campaigns like this one are so important to highlight actions we can all take to end violence against women and girls. 

"Being allies with women every day shouldn't be underestimated, even the smallest actions can affect big change. 

"We know that culture change doesn't happen overnight, but by working together, we can #ChangeTheStory to end violence for all women and girls." 

Suffolk Libraries are also supporting the White Ribbon campaign. Set up through Suffolk County Council's Domestic Abuse Champions Network - which now consists of more than 1300 Domestic Abuse Champions - all Suffolk Libraries continue to offer 'Safe Spaces' for victim-survivors of domestic abuse. 

Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries Deputy Chief Executive, added: "All our 45 libraries are safe spaces offering a welcoming and non-judgemental environment where someone affected by domestic abuse can find help. All our staff receive safeguarding training which covers how to support someone who may be in fear of violence and how to refer them to organisations who can help. We are pleased to support this campaign and by raising awareness of our safe spaces Suffolk Libraries is proud to play our part in Changing the Story."

Safe Spaces provide an accessible safe and discrete environment where anyone, whether they are experiencing domestic abuse themselves, or if they're worried about someone else, can speak to someone in the library in confidence and be referred to the organisations who can support them. A visit to the library may offer someone the chance to get away from their abuser and so provides an ideal opportunity to speak to someone in confidence.

Visit https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/ to find other safe spaces in Suffolk.  

Those wishing to pledge their support for the White Ribbon campaign should visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/, or follow Suffolk County Council's social media channels, using the hashtags #ChangeTheStory and #LookCloserSuffolk for further information on how to get involved in the county's 16 days of action.

Anyone who is worried that they, or someone they know, may be a victim of domestic abuse can call the Suffolk Domestic Abuse Helpline free of charge 24 hours a day on 0800 977 5690.

Perpetrators can contact the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040 for confidential advice on how to stop hurting the one they love.