Town council first to pledge to become White Ribbon authority
Oswestry Town Council is working towards becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation as part of its work to help victims of domestic abuse.
The accreditation can be achieved by providing awareness raising for employees, having a workplace policy to help victims of domestic abuse and to sign up to the pledge to not condone or remain silent about violence to women. This makes Oswestry the first Council in Shropshire to have adopted this pledge.
It follows a motion to council from the Mayor, Councillor Duncan Kerr , which included a letter from the Business Minister Paul Scully MP highlighting an 80 per cent increase in referrals during the pandemic.
The Mayor said he was pleased that the council was following the lead of the Government, the High Sheriff and the Police and Crime Commissioner by recognising the importance of the issue.
The council is now working with West Mercia Women's Aid after agreeing last month to part fund the “Ask Me Scheme” which will be managed in partnership Womens Aid. Under this scheme up to 30 local residents will be recruited and supported to become champions who can offer support and advice for victims by forming a network of trusted, informed and local advice.
Councillor Kerr said: "This is a national programme that has already been delivered in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Powys but this is, once again the first time it has been brought to Shropshire. The contribution of £10,000 goes towards a total figure of £21,500 which is needed to establish the Ask Me Scheme, the Council will work with West Mercia Women’s Aid to fill the funding gap. If any organisations wish to sponsor the programme or support they are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk at arrenroberts@oswestry-tc.gov.uk."
