Organisations around Bury are taking part in this year's White Ribbon Campaign, which starts today, to stand against gender-based violence.

November 25 has been designated as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of White Ribbon's 16 Days of Activism.

From today until December 10, men are asked to wear a white ribbon to stand in solidarity with female victims of violence, and raise awareness of the issue in all its forms, including rape, domestic abuse, physical assault, and more.

The theme of this year's campaign is #AllMenCan and is asking everyone to spread the message that violence against women must be stopped, and follows the recent murder of Sarah Everard.

This tragic case brought violence against women to the forefront of the national conversation, with statistics showing 87.8% of women had experienced emotional abuse and that 66.6% had experienced jealous or controlling behaviour.

54.8% had experienced physical abuse, while 16% of service users using community-based support had experience sexual abuse, a figure that was much higher for those using refugee support at 27.6%.

Cllr Richard Gold, cabinet member for communities, said: "Bury Council and our partners are taking a stand against domestic violence.

"Domestic abuse can happen to anyone but it's women in particular who are most affected.

"This issue is present all year round and we never stop campaigning. However, it is important to mark this period with events, presentations and a special effort to speak to family, friends and co-workers about why we must take a stand against domestic violence and abuse."

Organisations throughout the borough will be taking part in events and showing support for the global White Ribbon campaign and 'make the promise' that all men can put a stop to male violence against women and girls.

Bury's Community Safety Partnership, which oversees work to reduce domestic violence and abuse, is currently consulting on a new Community Safety Plan which sets out how the partners will reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, including a new approach to ending domestic violence.

For more information visit https://www.onecommunitybury.co.uk/community-safety-strategies.