Members of Medway Labour, alongside staff from the Chatham branch of Debenham's, supporting the Women's Aid 'Real Man' campaign against domestic violence.
With one woman in four experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime, the campaign sees magazine Cosmopolitan magazine join forces with Women’s Aid and department store Debenhams to back the call that ‘Real Men’ do not abuse and control women – physically, emotionally, sexually or financially.
Designer at Debenhams favourite Henry Holland has created a range of men’s t-shirts available exclusively at the retailer’s stores and online. The t-shirts carry the slogan ‘I’m a Real Man’ and ‘I’m a fan of a Real Man’ which sell for just £12 with profits going to Women’s Aid.
Cllr Vince Maple, Deputy Leader of Medway Labour said,
“We are pleased to be supporting such an important campaign. I hope that everyone signs up to the Real Man pledge at www.realmancampaign.com to show they stand against domestic violence which impacts on families across Medway. The target is 10,000 signatures by 25th November 2011 – the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women.”
Nicola Harwin CBE, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid said,
“We are delighted to launch the second year of our ‘Real Man’ campaign with Cosmopolitan and Debenhams.
“We have had such a positive response to this important campaign, which sends out the clear message that a ‘Real Man’ would never be abusive or violent towards a partner.
“We thank everyone involved for donating their time to take part and ask everyone to join us by signing the ‘Real Man’ pledge at www.realmancampaign.com and by going to Debenhams and buying the ‘Real Man’ t-shirt, which is raising vital funds for Women’s Aid.”
If you or a friend are experiencing abuse in a relationship, you can go to the Survivor’s Handbook atwww.womensaid.org.uk or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge) on 0808 2000 247.
Further information:
Cllr Vince Maple 07981661451, Women’s Aid Press Office: 0117 915 7454
About Women’s Aid:- Women’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that co-ordinates and supports an England-wide network of over 370 local organisations which provide over 500 services working to end violence against women and children. Keeping the voices of survivors at the heart of its work, Women’s Aid campaigns for better legal protection and services, providing a strategic “expert view” to government on laws, policy and practice affecting abused women and children. In partnership with its national network, Women’s Aid runs public awareness and education campaigns, bringing together national and local action, and developing new training and resources. Women’s Aid provides a package of vital 24 hour lifeline services through its publications (available in 11 languages), website www.womensaid.org.uk, and runs the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline in partnership with Refuge. Women’s Aid is a registered charity no 1054154.
