Buckinghamshire residents urged to help end violence towards women
A domestic abuse charity says men can play a major role in fostering change
Residents across Buckinghamshire are being urged to make a stand against violence towards women and girls.
White Ribbon Day today (25 November) marks the start of 16 days of action on the issue.
The initiative is from White Ribbon, a charity which engages with people - particularly men and boys - to help end physical violence.
Across the UK, most violence towards females is committed by men.
White Ribbon therefore wants the latter to take action, both individually and collectively, in order to alter long-term behaviour.
'I didn't know this is how women were living'
Anthea Sully, Chief Executive of the White Ribbon group, has told us why she's campaigning to foster change.
"Men were saying (to her): 'I just didn't know, I didn't know this is how women were living'. I found that quite surprising, but it shows how we need to talk about these things.
"Some of this behaviour is so normalised, it's accepted.
"That's another reason why it's so important that men talk to women, to get an understanding, so that they really do have that level of awareness (of violent behaviour)," she said.
Buckinghamshire Council has also pledged support to White Ribbon Day. The authority says it wants to play its part in tackling abuse towards women.