Gordon Banks

07 December 2009 

On November 25, the United Nations’ Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and White Ribbon Day, Labour MPs including Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks united in their support to end violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign, the largest international organisation targeting men to work towards ending male violence against women, was present at Westminster to photograph Labour MPs wearing their white ribbons.

Gordon Banks MP said,

“Parliamentarians enter parliament in order to make their community a better place. There is no more important way to do this than by working to eliminate violence against women.”

“Violence against women and girls is an obscenity. That is why we are taking action to bring perpetrators to justice and protect and support victims. A fair and responsible Britain has no place for violence of any sort.”

“The Government have announced an ambitious strategy aimed at ending violence against women and girls.  As well as measures to further protect victims and tackle perpetrators, the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy signals a new focus on preventing violence from happening.”

“From 2011, preventing violence in relationships will be included in personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education so attitudes that condone and perpetuate violence against women are addressed before they become entrenched in young people.”

“An awareness-raising marketing campaign to change behaviour will start in the New Year with a high profile drive to tackle violence in teenagers’ relationships.”

Every week in the UK, 2 women are killed as a result of domestic violence. There are countless victims of sexual assault, rape, incest, forced marriage, FGM, trafficking, and honour killing. The White Ribbon Campaign is therefore very supportive of the Home Office’s new strategy, “Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls,” which was released on November 24. We look forward to working closely with the Home Office, and Labour’s Home Secretary Alan Johnson, to ensure that this strategy is successful.