Joyce Watson, AM for Mid and West Wales, is launching a Wales-wide campaign to recruit sporting ambassadors to say no to domestic violence.To mark this year's White Ribbon Day on November 25th, Joyce - in conjunction with Wales Women's National Coalition and Welsh Women's Aid - is asking sportsmen to be involved in the campaign. The White Ribbon Campaign started in 1991 in Canada and is aimed at men working to end men's violence against women. The founders decided that wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol to personally pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about domestic violence.
Each year, men and boys are encouraged to wear a ribbon for one or two weeks, starting on November 25, the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women. However, although White Ribbon Day is about men, it is mostly females - and women's aid groups in particular - that are involved in selling white ribbons and raising awareness. Joyce wants to get more men involved.
So this year Joyce is setting up a White Ribbon Ambassadors Campaign and hopes to get 10 key Welsh sportsmen or teams by next year. She was inspired by the example of the White Ribbon Campaign UK which has campaigned with sportsmen, particularly English football teams.
The aim is to help create a culture where the behaviour of a minority becomes unacceptable. Joyce is also keen to recruit sportsmen because research has linked sporting events as well as alcohol consumption with increases in domestic violence * Former Welsh International Derwyn Jones is the first ambassador to be recruited.
Pontardulais-born Derwyn, who at 6ft 10 inches tall is the tallest Welsh rugby player ever, gained a total of 19 caps for his country and also represented the Barbarians and World XV. He currently has a close involvement with rugby as a commentator for S4C on International, Heineken and Magners league games as well as running his own sports management business with clients such as James Hook and Ian Evans.
On Wednesday November 26, Derwyn will take part in the Coalition's annual candle-lighting ceremony with First Minister Rhodri Morgan, at Llandaff Cathedral to mark International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
Derwyn said: "Men are the main perpetrators of domestic violence and it is important that we speak out when members of our sex insult or attack women. This is not just the responsibility of women we need to help create a culture where this sort of behaviour is unacceptable.
"Sport and rugby in particularly has a reputation for being a very macho environment - there is also a culture of not getting involved in people's personal lives but domestic violence is a crime that we should all say no to whatever sex or background we come from."
Welsh Women's Aid is also going to draw up a programme for Wales's ambassadors to take part in events during the year.
Paula Hardy, Chief Executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, said ‘Welsh Women’s Aid fully supports the campaign to promote male sports ambassadors in Wales saying 'no' to domestic violence. We hope by having male ambassadors it will show the crucial role that men and boys play in helping reduce violence in the lives of women. Harmful attitudes and beliefs in the community are a very important part of the problem of domestic violence, and tackling these attitudes will assist in building a community that is safer for women and girls’.
Joyce Watson, who has campaigned on domestic violence issues for a number of years, believes getting men involved is the key to helping to stop domestic violence.
She said: "Men often look up to their sporting heroes and if they can see that players like Derwyn can make a stand against domestic violence then that will help to change the culture."
There will be a photo opportunity before the Light a Candle Ecumenical Service at Llandaff Cathedral at 1015am on November 26. The service, which is hosted by The Rev Canon Graham Holcombe, will be held between 10.30am and 11.30am. Speakers will be Jan Pickles, manager of Cardiff Women's Safety Unit, and Morgan Fackrell, chief executive of Cardiff Women's Aid. First minister Rhodri Morgan and Joyce Watson will be lighting a candle at the event.
For further information: Joyce Watson can be contacted on 02920 898972.
Welsh Women's Aid can be contacted on 02920 390 874. It also runs a helpline for people suffering domestic abuse on 0808 8010800.
Wales Women's National Coalition can be contacted on 02920 478918.
*Home Office data, published in 2006, showed that domestic violence rose by up to 31 per cent on England's World Cup match days
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