Candlelight vigil and bridge walk mark White Ribbon Day 2023
Friday 24 November, 2023: A sponsored walk and candlelight vigil are among the activities Hillingdon Council is hosting as part of White Ribbon Day 2023.
The campaign, run by the charity White Ribbon UK, brings together local authorities and a range of partner organisations that deal with domestic abuse and seeks to change long-established attitudes, behaviours and systems around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and men's violence against women.
To mark the day, members of the council's Hillingdon Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service (HDAAS) will be taking part in the '13 Bridges Walk' to help raise funds for the Hillingdon Women's Centre - a local charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse.
The 10-mile walk crosses the 13 bridges over the River Thames between Tower Bridge and Battersea Bridge.
The campaign also marks the start of the '16 days of activism', a global campaign to end violence against women and girls and the council will be promoting its awareness work across the 16 days, with messages and activities for both residents and staff.
The 16 days will culminate with a candlelight vigil in recognition of the borough's survivors which will take place at the entrance to the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, at the top of the steps to the right of the main reception, on Monday 11 December from 4pm until 6pm. All are welcome to attend.
Cllr Jane Palmer, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "We're committed to creating safe and strong communities and this council has a proud history of campaigning robustly to tackle issues of violence against women and girls.
"White Ribbon Day presents not only an opportunity to raise further awareness of these important issues, but also to shine a light on the brilliant work done by our HDAAS team, the Met Police and the many other partner organisations to help, protect and support local survivors.
"Domestic abuse is a very real and harmful issue in local communities and any efforts we can make to stop it at the source, by raising awareness and helping educate men and boys around the impacts of their actions and words, can only help make our borough safer and more pleasant."
If you, or someone you know, needs help or support, contact HDAAS@hillingdon.gov.uk, or call 07874 620954.