CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is once again showing its support for the White Ribbon campaign - which aims to end male violence against women.

White Ribbons are available to buy at Council reception areas at County Hall; Building 2, St David’s Park; town halls in Ammanford and Llanelli; Ty Elwyn, Llanelli and Spilman Street from Monday, November 19. All donations made will go towards services for local victims and survivors.

This year the local authority has been awarded White Ribbon UK accredited status. Achieving the status shows an organisation’s commitment to The White Ribbon Campaign.

For the first time this year, the council has been working together with partners more to spread the word that you don’t have to suffer in silence, and there is help available. Partners include: Dyfed Powys Police; Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue service; Wales Ambulance Service; University of Wales Trinity Saint David; Hafan Cymru; Citizens Advice; Threshold Llanelli; Calan Domestic Violence Service (Calan DVS); Women Survivors Support Project; Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Service (CDAS); Carmarthenshire Federation of Women’s Institute and more.

This year residents in the county will be made aware of the campaign in a number of ways, including animation information videos which will be played on screens in locations such as leisure centres, libraries, hospitals and more; posters in licenced premises across the county as well as in leisure centres, sports clubs and within police and fire brigade stations as well as posting information and signposting to help available on the council’s social media pages.

Carmarthenshire County Council staff have been encouraged to wear white on Friday, November 23, in a bid to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign.

A Candlelight Walk will take place in Carmarthen once again on Thursday, November 22. The silent procession by men and women coming together to end violence against women, will leave the Vue cinema in St Catherine’s Walk at 5.15pm. The event will end with refreshments, music and speeches at St Peter’s Civic Hall.

Cllr Cefin Campbell, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Community Safety, said: “As a council we have supported the White Ribbon campaign for a number of years, and are proud to have achieved White Ribbon UK accredited status this year. By working with partners our aim is to gain more awareness of the campaign and the help available county-wide.

“I am very proud of my role as a White Ribbon Ambassador for Carmarthenshire County Council and will do my upmost to raise more awareness of the campaign amongst my fellow councillors, council staff and residents in the county.”

Council staff have also been encouraged to sign the online pledge “never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.” You can do this by visiting www.whiteribbon.org.uk/pledge