Launched in 2015, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the continuing drive to end all domestic abuse, including physical abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called honour-based abuse, and stalking and harassment.
Reinforcing the message that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women, girls, men and boys, local organisations including the City of Wolverhampton Council, The Haven Wolverhampton, St George’s House Charity, DORCAS, ROSHNI, and many more have joined together to champion the support available across the city and raise awareness of the campaign.
Orange Wolverhampton runs from today until 10 December and supports the UN Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls. In Wolverhampton, there is a strong focus on ending interpersonal violence against all individuals, whatever their gender.
This year’s campaign includes a variety of events to enable as many people as possible to get involved, beginning with the flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Craig Collingswood, said: “From today until 10 December, residents, services and community groups will stand together in our continued effort to end domestic abuse in all its forms.
“This campaign gives us a vital opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting women, girls, men and boys, to highlight the services supporting victims and survivors, and to empower our communities to look out for one another.
“This 10th anniversary shows how far we have come but also reminds us how much work still lies ahead. We know many people in our city experience domestic abuse, often silently, and its impact can be devastating and long lasting.
“Over the next 16 days, we must continue to champion our city’s response, protecting those at risk, challenging harmful behaviours, and spreading the message that violence in any form is never acceptable. Together, we are building a safer, brighter and more compassionate Wolverhampton for all.”
Organisations across Wolverhampton are supporting this year’s campaign in a range of ways, from holding ‘go orange’ days, wearing orange ribbons and badges, turning their websites and social media channels orange, flying orange flags, and sharing key messages from the campaign with staff, customers and service users.
A wear orange day takes place this Thursday (27 November), and there will be an Orange Wolverhampton information stand at the Mander Centre on Tuesday 9 December from 10am to 3.30pm, with staff on hand to raise awareness and hand out orange ribbons for people to wear in support of the campaign.
Full details of all the events taking place during the campaign are now available on the Orange Wolverhampton website.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “For a decade, Orange Wolverhampton has been our city’s annual call to businesses, public bodies and the community to take a stand against interpersonal violence.
“It is a way for us all to say ‘no’ to these abhorrent crimes, and to help raise awareness of the advice and support available to victims and survivors in Wolverhampton.
“We’re hoping that thousands of people will get involved again in this 10th anniversary year, perhaps by holding or joining one of the many events that will be taking place across the city, wearing something orange on Thursday, or by visiting the Orange Wolverhampton information stand in the Mander Centre next month.”
For more information about this year’s campaign, and free resources, please visit #orangewolves.
If you or a loved one is suffering from domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour-based’ abuse, help is available:
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The Haven Wolverhampton freephone helpline for women – 08000 194400, WhatsApp helpline – 07719 558153, Live Chat – (WhatsApp and Live Chat available Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm)
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St. George’s House Charity support for men – 01902 421904
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Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of ‘honour-based’ violence and forced marriage – 0800 5999 247
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Wolverhampton Adult Social Care – 01902 551199 (out of hours 01902 552999)
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Wolverhampton Children’s Social Care – 01902 555392 (out of hours 01902 552999)
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Wolverhampton Homes – 01902 556789
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National Domestic Abuse helpline – 0808 2000 247
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NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation helpline – 0800 028 3550
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Sikh Women’s Aid – 0333 090 1220
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ROSHNI Birmingham – 24 hour multi lingual forced marriage and honour-based abuse helpline – 0800 953 9777
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Dorcas – 07462 837349
In an emergency, always call police on 999.
The Orange Wolverhampton campaign runs from 25 November, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until 10 December, UN Human Rights Day, and supports the United Nations’ Orange the World 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women and girls. It is co-ordinated by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and the council.
