Communities mark White Ribbon Day for abuse victims

Cambridgeshire Police and Peterborough City Council will join forces to support White Ribbon Day

A white flag will be raised at Peterborough Town Hall in support of White Ribbon Day.

Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire Police are both marking White Ribbon Day, which is part of a campaign to end violence against women and girls.

In the past 10 months, Cambridgeshire Police recorded almost 8,500 abuse incidents. 73% of these victims were women.

The flag will be flown on Friday, with a ceremony taking place from 11:00 GMT.

On Friday, a flag will be raised at the Town Hall in support of the abuse victims to mark White Ribbon Day

Councillor John Howard, deputy leader of Peterborough City Council and White Ribbon ambassador for Peterborough City Council, said the raising of the flag was a "visual reminder that domestic abuse must not be tolerated".

"This is also an opportunity for us to reach out to all those who are suffering abuse and help them to access the help that are available to them locally," he said.

"Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men at some point in their lives. I would encourage you all to wear your white ribbon throughout this period to show your support."

White Ribbon Day itself is on Saturday.

Over the next 16 days of action, Cambridgeshire Police will share stories of domestic abuse survivors.

Det Insp Alicia Yorke, tactical lead for domestic abuse, said: "The force is fully committed to do it all it can to prevent abuse from happening.

"For anyone who is affected by violence we urge them to come forward safe in the knowledge they will be fully supported."

The 16 days of action will end on the International Human Rights Day on 10 December.