West Norfolk Council agrees to fight back on violence against women - but are reminded men can be victims too

Councillors have pledged to fight back on violence against women and girls - but were reminded that men can be victims too.

At West Norfolk Council’s full meeting on Thursday evening, members agreed to actively pursue accreditation from the White Ribbon charity.

This came after a motion put forward by Cllr Alexandra Ware which said: “Violence and cruelty to women, whether mental, verbal or physical, and whether occurring within the workplace or outside of an organisation, is a serious, prevalent and preventable issue.

“Achieving White Ribbon accreditation would demonstrate this council’s commitment to its residents in preventing and combating the harmful culture, attitudes and behaviours around toxic masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women and girls.

“This council will therefore actively seek to gain White Ribbon accreditation, and it will adopt policies, instigate projects and activities and work with partners to achieve this.”

White Ribbon’s mission statement says it works with men and boys to “change long-established, and harmful, attitudes, systems and behaviours around rigid gender norms”.

Cllr Jo Rust, the council’s cabinet member for people and communities, told the meeting that the authority is already taking steps to achieve accreditation.

She said it will take three years and involve a “financial outlay when budgets are tight” - but added that it is “the right thing to do”.

“We want to be able to show our residents that we take this seriously,” Cllr Rust said.

Cllr David Sayers said he would be “proud” to support the motion, while Cllr Francis Bone said it is important at a time when “young men across the world” are watching broadcasts from Andrew Tate, who is widely considered to be misogynistic.

Cllr Brian Long also pledged his support for the scheme, telling the meeting about the help he gave a past neighbour of his who was a victim of domestic violence.

However, he warned councillors not to disregard men who are victims.

He said: “We must not forget that there are also a number, all be it a lot smaller, of men who suffer abuse by woman.

“I know that is not what this motion is about - I understand why it is what it is, but there are a lot across the country who may well suffer abuse from women.

“So it is not all toxic masculinity. I suppose you would refer to that as toxic femininity.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Pallavi Devulapalli suggested the White Ribbon accreditation could be “tokenistic”.

She said she has not seen any evidence that it “does anything to actually reduce violence”, and would like the council to explore other options as well.

However, she did support the motion.

Cllr Sandra Squire said: “I never want to hear another woman hear the words ‘she had it coming’ or ‘she must have deserved it’. Never.

“No woman deserves that. It needs to be called out by everybody.”