North Wales PCC Commits to Combat Gender-Based Violence on White Ribbon Day

On White Ribbon Day, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, reaffirmed his commitment to ending gender-based violence in North Wales and beyond. The day, observed globally, seeks to eliminate male violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes and transforming harmful attitudes and behaviours related to masculinity.

In the UK, White Ribbon Day is led by White Ribbon UK, a charity focused on engaging men and boys in the fight against violence towards women. In North Wales, several support services, including the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU) and the Victim Help Centre, offer essential assistance to women experiencing domestic abuse.

Dunbobbin recently visited DASU’s location in Colwyn Bay alongside Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and Councillor Beca Brown from Cyngor Gwynedd. The group engaged with Gaynor McKeown, CEO of DASU, discussing the importance of accessible support services for victims of domestic abuse. They learned about the increasing number of older victims coming forward and the troubling rise of misogyny among younger individuals in schools across North Wales.

During the same visit, the team also met with representatives from the Victim Help Centre, which provides guidance to victims of crime and organizes the North Wales Victims’ Panel. This initiative allows victims to share their experiences, aiming to improve the criminal justice process for future cases.

Dunbobbin expressed his dedication, stating, “Ending this kind of violence is a personal mission of mine and it forms a core part of my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales. The services I commission as PCC, such as DASU and the Victim Help Centre, offer support and advice to victims of domestic abuse across North Wales, and I know how valued their work is. As a White Ribbon Ambassador, I am determined to play my part in bringing all gender-based violence to an end both in North Wales and beyond.”

McKeown highlighted the significance of the visit, saying, “We are really pleased that the PCC, Mabon ap Gwynfor, and his colleague Beca Brown were able to see the lifesaving work we do. The PCC has been a huge supporter of our work and that of RASASC North Wales through his tenure, providing both organizations with most of our funding.”

Sioned Jacobsen, Senior Operations Manager at Victim Support North Wales, noted the importance of White Ribbon Day in challenging harmful behaviours, stating, “The Victim Help Centre, delivered by Victim Support, provides free, confidential, and independent support to anyone affected by crime across North Wales, whether or not they’ve reported it. By working closely with the PCC and partners like DASU, we ensure victims’ voices shape services and that together we create a safer, more respectful community for all.”

The concerted efforts on White Ribbon Day underscore a collective commitment to raise awareness and provide necessary resources for victims of gender-based violence in North Wales.