Ross County support RWA

MALE football fans at a Ross County home game where urged to take a stance against domestic abuse by pledging never to commit or condone violence against women.

Leaflets, encouraging men to stand up to domestic violence, will be handed out to the spectators as they enter Victoria Park for the home game against Partick Thistle on January 2.

Northern Constabulary is behind the event – supported by the club and Ross-shire Women’s Aid – which was launched at a photo shoot at the football grounds on Tuesday. Inspector David Ogilvie of the force’s Safer Communities department told the Journal they do not believe football fans are more prone to domestic violence, but the game gave them the opportunity to get their message across to a large gathering of people.

The force’s efforts to tackle domestic violence ties in with the White Ribbon Campaign which is for men in Scotland who want to end attacks on females.

Insp Ogilvie said, “The White Ribbon Scotland campaign is an excellent way to highlight the growing number of men who are taking the pledge to condemn violence against women. Northern Constabulary is working hard with partners to ensure that this type of crime is tackled by working closely with Ross-shire Women’s Aid and Ross County FC. The upcoming match against Partick Thistle is a great opportunity to raise awareness to a large gathering of people at one time. I would encourage as many men as possible to visit the website and take the pledge.”

The force’s corporate communications department has designed A5 leaflets, which will feature two unique QR codes. These codes can be scanned in using smartphones and will take members of the public directly to the force’s Domestic Abuse webpage and White Ribbon Scotland’s webpage.

It is the first time Northern Constabulary has used this type of technology to get its messages out to the public.

Ross County manager Derek Adams said, “Coming into the festive season the issue of domestic abuse and in particular violence against women traditionally comes to the fore, with a number of people being affected.

“This serious issue needs continuing support and we at Ross County fully support the White Ribbon Scotland campaign which encourages men to take a stand to end violence against women by taking a pledge at the campaign website. We also support the excellent work being done by Ross-shire Women’s Aid in this regard, well supported by Northern Constabulary which goes a long way to help highlight the problem.

“I would encourage all men who abhor violence against women to visit the website and show their support to help end this type of crime.”

Heather Williams from Ross-shire Women’s Aid said, “We are delighted to support Northern Constabulary’s winter campaign against domestic abuse. Domestic abuse blights the lives of too many women, children and young people.

“We are pleased to be working with the police to raise awareness of the issue and to get the message out that we all have our part to play in tackling domestic abuse and for those experiencing abuse there is support available if they require it from ourselves and from the police.”

The majority of domestic incidents reported to the police involve men using violence against women.

The White Ribbon in Scotland was launched in 2006. Its aims are:

lEndorse and clearly state the vital role of non-perpetrating men in challenging and stopping violence against women

lIdentify, create and promote opportunities for non-perpetrating men to be involved in the campaign to Stop Violence Against Women in Scotland

lIncrease the capacity of men in Scotland to engage in the campaign to Stop Violence Against Women, through examination and dissemination of best practice from the UK and abroad

The campaign aims to encourage men everywhere to take the pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women. This can be done by visiting the campaign website:

www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk