A COUNCIL, a fire and rescue service and a police force have been awarded White Ribbon UK accredited status.

Carmarthenshire County Council, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police have all met the standards required to be awarded the prestigious status.

Achieving White Ribbon UK status shows an organisation’s commitment to The White Ribbon Campaign - the largest global initiative to end male violence against women.

The award is recognition of the work which the three organisations have already undertaken in involving men in speaking out and challenging male violence against women and girls. It is also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

Each organisation has Ambassadors, key male figures who have received the White Ribbon training, have made their pledge never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women and will encourage other men to take the pledge.

Representatives of the three authorities attended an event on Friday, October 26, to celebrate their accreditation, raise awareness of male violence against women and explore opportunities to work together to tackle the issue.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis said: “I’m proud to say that I’m an Ambassador for the White Ribbon Campaign. It’s men who are recruited as Ambassadors to take a stand against male violence against women to ensure men are involved in this important conversation, we take responsibility and engage other men to talk about this issue.”

Cllr Cefin Campbell, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Board Member for Community Safety, said:

“As a council we will be flying the White Ribbon flag at County Hall and at our town hall buildings in Llanelli and Ammanford to show our support. I also hope that as many people as possible will support the annual Candlelight Walk in Carmarthen which this year takes place on November 22 from 5.15pm outside the Vue cinema in St Catherine’s Walk.”

Rob Quin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director of Service Delivery, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Historically we are a male dominated service and it is good to see so many men from the Fire and Rescue Service signing the pledge to end violence against women. We have a zero tolerance for this behaviour.”

For more information visit whiteribbon.org.uk.