Council wins White Ribbon backing for fight against domestic abuse

For the council has retained its accreditation from the White Ribbon Campaign UK, which aims to educate and raise awareness of violence against women.

The Mansfield authority was first awarded the White Ribbon in 2013. Since then, various new initiatives have been introduced, enabling the council to retain its status in an area regarded as a hotspot for abuse within the home and family.

“The White Ribbon campaign is about challenging attitudes and beliefs to help deter perpetrators from continuing with their abusive behaviour,” said Coun Mick Barton, portfolio holder for public protection.

“The council remains totally committed to tackling domestic abuse because, unfortunately, this district has one of the highest rates of it in Nottinghamshire. Last year, there were more than 800 reports to the police.”

Among the initiatives championed by the council is the Clare’s Law scheme, which is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in Manchester in 2009 by a former boyfriend. The scheme allows anyone who may be worried about a person’s behaviour to request information from the police about that person’s past. Since it was launched three years ago, 263 disclosures have been made in Nottinghamshire from a total of 620 requests.

The council holds several White Ribbon awareness-raising events during the year. And the re-accreditation follows its receipt of a share of £662,000 government grant to support Nottinghamshire victims of domestic abuse and violence who have mental-health issues or are suffering from alcohol or drugs problems.