'Orange Wolverhampton' campaign to tackle violence

A city is turning orange to highlight issues including domestic violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and sexual violence.

City of Wolverhampton Council said it was working with organisations such as The Haven, a centre which supports women and children, and Karma Nirvana, which campaigns to end honour-based abuse.

They have arranged 16 days of events and people will be encouraged to dress in orange and wear orange pin badges and ribbons, while social media channels will also turn orange.

The annual Orange Wolverhampton campaign began on Monday with a flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre.

The fortnight of action supports the UN Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls.

But the council said it went further and aimed to tackle interpersonal violence against all individuals, whether they are female or male.

One of the events planned will be a round table discussion for male survivors.

It will be hosted by St George's Hub, which is also holding a workshop to help identify the hidden male victims of honour-based violence.

There will be an information point outside the Mander Centre on 2 and 3 December, craft workshops and a series of lunch sessions.

The authority said it hoped thousands of people would get involved again this year.

An Orange Walk through the city on 10 December will end the programme.

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