Two Galway organisations which provide services to women experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault and rape are urging people to buy white ribbons as part of an international campaign to end violence against women.
COPE Galway Waterside House and Galway Rape Crisis Centre launched this year’s 16 day drive which runs until December 10. The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men and women working together to end violence against women.
The WRC was created by a handful of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of one man’s massacre of 14 women in Montreal. They decided that wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of men’s opposition to men’s violence against women. After only six weeks preparation, as many as 100,000 men across Canada wore a white ribbon. There are now White Ribbon Campaigns operating in many countries around the world, including Ireland.
During the campaign white ribbons will be available from both COPE Galway Waterside House and Galway Rape Crisis Centre. In addition to supporting the campaign by purchasing and wearing a white ribbon people are also asked to go to www.whiteribbon.ie to register their support.
COPE Galway Waterside House provided accommodation and outreach services to more than 500 women and children experiencing domestic violence last year. Some 520 people contacted Galway Rape Crisis Centre last year and they received more than 2,000 calls to their helpline.
If you, or someone you know, is being affected by violence within an intimate relationship and would like information and support, telephone COPE Galway Waterside House at (091 ) 565985 or if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence telephone Galway Rape Crisis Centre on 1800-355 355.
People interested in helping out with the campaign through displaying posters or selling white ribbons should contact either COPE at (091 ) 778750 or Galway Rape Crisis Centre at (091 ) 583149.
