Derby County Community Trust leads allies of women

Derby County Community Trust leads allies of women

Prominent men across Derby’s sport, charity and cultural sectors have joined together to speak out about violence against women and girls.

Allies of Women’ is led by Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) who are a key partner in the Safe Derby campaign alongside Derby City Council, specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound and Derby Community Action.

The overarching objective of the Safe Derby campaign, supported by Home Office funding, is to prevent, tackle and challenge violence against women and girls in public places and signal Derby’s zero tolerance towards, and promotion of a city free from, gender-based violence, abuse, harassment and exploitation. In a hard-hitting video, they highlight the shocking national statistics and encourage men to speak out against harassment or threatening behaviour towards women.

The call to action is that individuals, businesses and organisations across the city show their support and sign up to the global White Ribbon movement which aims to end male violence against women.

The video ‘Allies of Women’ has been shared online for the first time to mark International Women’s Day (Tuesday March 8) and will then be aired on the Pride Park screens at DCFC’s home game against Coventry on Saturday March 19 and at the DCFC women’s match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday March 27.

“Statistics surrounding violence against women and girls are frightening but we can all play our part to encourage behaviour change. […] Our aim by speaking out through Allies of Women is to make men and boys think twice about their own attitudes and behaviour but also to challenge and call out actions of others. […] I hope that it encourages male leaders across our local communities to also take a stand and to sign up their businesses and organisations to be part of the White Ribbon movement. […] By encouraging female participation across our wide range of programmes, we are empowering everyone, across society, to take part in whatever activities they want to – irrespective of gender, religion, race or any other factor. […] Whilst the Allies of Women campaign has been created to raise awareness as part of Safe Derby, we are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring participation opportunities and safety or women and girls across the remit of our work. […] This comes in many forms including encouraging female participation at typically male-heavy sessions and working alongside Safe and Sound in outreach work across local communities.”

Head of DCCT Simon Carnall

“In 2022 and beyond, it is crucial that all men are ‘Allies of Women’ and not only stand up to violence against women and girls, but also tackle and challenge the sexist comments, derogatory language, out-dated opinions and physical and online harassment that is so often how serious violence and exploitation begins and how abuse is perpetuated. […] “We all need to think about our behaviour and our language and what the consequences of it, intended or unintended, can be. Everyone should feel safe in Derby – everyone should be safe in Derby. No one should be subject to gender-based violence, harassment or abuse.[…] “This video, featuring prominent individuals from across the city, highlights the horrifying realities of violence against women and girls, but also exemplifies the role that men can play in eliminating this violence and abuse from our society. It is so important that everyone hears its messages.”

Councillor Matthew Eyre, Cabinet Member for Place and Community Development