This Sunday (25^th November) was White Ribbon Day, the official name of the day is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day is about making a pledge to stop violence against women. It is a day of awareness throughout the whole world which started in 1991 and the campaigns run from around the 25^th November into December.

This year we decided to combine efforts to raise awareness of this campaign and domestic abuse by doing the first joint campaign with Swansea Met Students’ Union and artists from Sink Swansea. For the campaign, we have gone in a different direction to catch the attention from students all over campus and residents of Swansea!

You will notice on Oystermouth Road there is a graffiti wall with a beautiful mural of a Heron holding a white ribbon in its beak. This mural was designed and painted by the Sink Swansea artists and co-ordinated by Dave Long for the campaign:

“this local graffiti wall is transformed by the striking image of a Heron, grasping the iconic white ribbon in its' beak as it takes flight. The ribbon swirls across the canvas; looping and billowing. The viewer is approached by connotations of purity and freedom that reflect the White Ribbon Campaign's stance on abuse against women. Illustrator and Muralist Dave Long strongly believes that "the image has the impact to stop local residents in their tracks; the Heron depicts the spearhead in an organisation that works so hard to raise awareness and responsibility over one's actions and the subtle use of the unfurled ribbon literally ties in the campaign directly."

Alongside the mural and white ribbons all over campus, the media society helped us created a video for the campaign. This video features officers from Swansea Met Students’ Union, Swansea Uni Students’ Union and students who are helping say no to domestic violence. To view the video, follow the link at the bottom of this blog!

Myths v Facts

‘If it was that bad, he/she would leave’ – Myth
 

‘Same sex couples do not experience domestic abuse’ – Myth

‘Nearly 1 million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse each year’ – Fact

‘12% of under 11yr olds, 18.4% of 11-17yr olds and 24.8% of 18-24yr olds witnessed at least one type of domestic violence during childhood.’ – Fact

‘It was a one off incident’ - Myth

So help us put an end to domestic abuse and support the white ribbon campaign.

Campaign Information:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152279317125554&set=a.10150318966015554.567706.18315300553&type=1&theater

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=df5-pyWObEw

For more information and support on domestic abuse and domestic violence follow these links:

http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=49426
http://www.womensaid.org.uk/

http://www.allwaleshelpline.org.uk/
 www.mensadviceline.org.uk