To help mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November, East Cambs Community Safety Partnership is asking members of the public to take photos of themselves with their phone torches on and post on social media tagging in #ChangeTheStory.

The Octagon on Ely Cathedral will also be lit up white during the evening.

White Ribbon is committed to ending violence against women and girls. To help mark White Ribbon Day, individuals and organisations are being encouraged to make consistent choices and actions to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls, so that they may live their lives free from the fear of violence.

Lis Every, chair of the East Cambs Community Safety Partnership, said: “Violence against women and girls is unacceptable. We regularly see first-hand the devastating impact this has on the lives of so many people. Not only women, but their children and their families and friends too.

“I would also encourage everyone to take part in our #ChangeTheStory campaign on social media to help raise awareness on White Ribbon Day.”

Violence against women and girls can happen anywhere and takes many forms – from sexist jokes online to harassing behaviours on the train. Some behaviours may be dismissed as ‘small’ or ‘low-level’ acts: sharing sexist ‘jokes’ at work or in group chats; catcalling women in the street; or harassing women on a night out. These all contribute towards creating a culture of fear and misogyny that encourages violence and abuse against women. In spaces where these behaviours are normalised, it can lead to more extreme cases of violence.

Last year (2022) in East Cambridgeshire there were 958 domestic abuse incidents, the vast majority of which were against women and girls. Of these, 553 resulted in a crime being committed. National evidence suggests 5% of adults have experienced domestic abuse in the past year.

East Cambridgeshire District Council, which works closely with the Community Safety Partnership received White Ribbon accreditation last year and since then has been working on a number of initiatives committed to ending domestic abuse, which can include psychological, emotional, financial, and other coercive forms as well as physical violence.

In addition to providing help and advice, the council may also be able to provide financial support, accommodation and access to refuge services.

It is also working with the Community Safety Partnership along with other agencies across the district to help continue to raise awareness.

If you need help or support please visit East Cambridgeshire District Council’s offices at The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely CB7 4EE or call 01353 665555.

More information on what to do if you suffer from domestic abuse and how to report incidents on our website 

Help is also available from the National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247.