White Ribbon walk 10 am – 12 noon Saturday 23 November, St Peter's Church, Machynlleth

Stand together against domestic violence
White Ribbon walk 10 am – 12 noon Saturday 23 November, St Peter’s Church, Machynlleth
 
All are invited to come together to take a stand against abuse in Machynlleth on Saturday 23 November.
The walk will be in support of the White Ribbon campaign, where men and women come together to end violence against women.
Guests will gather at St Peter’s Church at 10am, walk to Y Plas at 10.30, then return to the church for refreshments and a range of speakers.
Speakers will include Rev Canon Kathleen Rogers, Joyce Watson AM, Town Mayor Monica Atkins, Cllr Michael Williams, Fleur Frantz-Morgans of Montgomery Family Crisis Centre, Newtown, Elize Freeman of the Dewis project at Aberystwyth University, and others.
 
Joyce Watson AM (Mid and West Wales) said:
“The figures are stark –  one woman died every 2.2 days last year (2018) in the UK. 164 women were killed, either by a man or with a male lead suspect, and nine of them were from Wales.
“Too many women live in fear of violence, and too many children grow up witnessing the cycle of violence.
“We all need to play our part to change the culture, so young people see respect and healthy relationships as the norm.
“This event is an opportunity for people to join together and sign up to the White Ribbon promise to:  ‘Never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women’.”
 
Joyce Watson AM and a range of local partners have worked together to arrange this, and groups and individuals of all ages are expected to attend. This follows a similar event at the town clock two years ago which was well attended.
Mrs Watson began White Ribbon campaigning in Wales in 2005, recruiting male ambassadors to spread the word and selling white ribbons to raise funds for support services such as refuges. She has worked with the WI on the Not in my Name campaign since 2012, with Women’s Institutes across Wales raising awareness in their areas.
The majority of victims of domestic abuse are women and the majority of perpetrators are men. Between April 2014 and March 2017 there were 400 domestic homicides in England and Wales – 73% of victims were women. Four in five were killed by a male partner or ex-partner. The number of people killed as a result of domestic violence in Britain last year – 173 – was the highest for five years. Meanwhile, domestic abuse cases in Welsh courts are up, despite a big drop in cases prosecuted over the last decade.
This is one of many events to mark White Ribbon Day. 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
 
Agenda (subject to change)
 
Saturday 23 November 2019
10:00     Assemble St Peter’s Church
10.30     Walk from St Peter’s to Y Plas and back to St Peter’s Church
11:00     Speeches
11.30     Refreshments and photography
12.00     Finish