Lancaster city councillors have voted unanimously to do all they can to tackle violence against women.
The council has committed to the 'white ribbon pledge' where people wear a white ribbon to stand up and take responsibility in working towards a future without violence against women.
Councillors also pledged to listen and respond to women and girls who are affected, and call out misogyny and sexism wherever they see and hear it.
A motion was brought before the council on Wednesday, by Councillor Jean Parr of Labour (pictured below).
"It seems we are in an epidemic of toxic masculinity," she told her fellow councillors, during a meeting at Morecambe Town Hall.
"Teenage boys who are in awe of men like (social media celebrity and misogynist) Andrew Tate; a president-elect across the Pond whose behaviour towards women is beyond belief; and a horrific case in France where a man drugged his wife over many years and invited over 70 men to rape her as she was comatose.
"Here in the UK, the ramifications of the Sarah Everard case where she was abducted, raped and murdered by a police officer, is still being felt.
"Gender violence is also about domestic abuse, which can end in murder.
"Women don't know who to trust. A change in culture and attitudes is what is needed.
"We need to create a culture where misogynistic attitudes to rape and violence are unacceptable.
"I would like everyone to think about their position on this issue."
Her colleague, Labour councillor Martin Gawith (below) was one of the many councillors, across all political groups, who supported the motion.
He said: "It's only men who can resolve this situation.
"Women have suffered this for far too long, and it's got worse over the past 20 years than it was.
"Men have it within their ability to change the future and make it better."
The full wording of the motion was:
The council notes that:
Globally, every 11 minutes a woman is deliberately killed by a partner or family member.
One in three women in England and Wales experience violence in their lifetime.
Girls are at particular risk – 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by her partner.
On average, in England and Wales, a woman is killed by a man every three days.
The ONS (Office for National Statistics) reported that in 2020 alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Street harassment and violence against women and girls is endemic in the UK: 80% of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public, with 90% of these women not reporting it as they don’t believe it will make a difference.
One in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace.
One in five women will be raped in their lifetime.
Women who report rape have a 3% chance of the report ending in conviction. Most women who survive domestic violence do not receive justice from the criminal justice system.
The council believes that:
All women and girls have the right to feel safe in our streets and in their homes and workplaces.
Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.
Perpetrators of serious violence usually have a history of inflicting abuse and harassment against other women and girls. Tackling violence against women and girls means dismantling this culture.
The seeds of violent behaviour are often sown at a young age and if the right interventions are not made in time, the problem perpetuates.
The council resolves to:
Support the work of local groups marking the UN 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Stand in solidarity with protestors who oppose violence against all women and girls.
Commend the commitment of the local Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Police to tackle violence against women and girls.
Work to ensure appropriate provision is in place for perpetrators of violence against women and girls to seek to change their behaviour.
Do all we can as a council and in our communities to champion the rights and entitlements of women and girls and to tackle violence against them. This includes listening and responding to women and girls about the action we need, and calling out misogyny and sexism wherever we see and hear it.
Support those providing services in Lancaster district to deliver culturally competent services for VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) which fully serve our diverse population.
Commit to the white ribbon pledge and to promote schemes that aim to educate men through campaigns that empower male “allies”.
Encourage licensed premises to subscribe to the Ask for Angela campaign.
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