A North East fire service is supporting a national campaign that calls on men and boys to end violence against women and girls.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is once again taking part in White Ribbon Day (November 25th) which reinforces its association with backing the annual awareness day.

This year, the organisers are looking to encourage individuals and organisations to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls, so they may live their lives free from the fear of violence.

The charity campaign highlights that violence experienced by women and girls takes many forms in social and professional settings.

Two people who’ve recently made this pledge are Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Peter Heath and Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Stewart Nicholson.

They both signed the pledge board earlier this week which will be displayed at Service Headquarters in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Chief Fire Officer Heath, said: “As Chief Fire Officer, I was proud to once again sign the pledge as it highlights the importance of White Ribbon Day, and shows just how serious I regard the values of the campaign, and as chief will look to promote them.

“Inclusion, safety and feeling valued are central to our service and across the whole workforce, I want an environment that supports this. We all have a vital part to play in promoting the values of the White Ribbon campaign and together we can make a difference.

“White Ribbon Day isn’t about solely singling out men and boys as such, as we are wanting to look at the wider issues across society as a whole, and by doing so it allows us to implement change and not just to use a sticking plaster.”

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson, said: “It’s imperative that we use the national platform of the White Ribbon Day to address the important issues being raised on Saturday.

“As an organisation where our primary focus is to help keep people safe from harm – we must look to continue our support towards the campaign and use it as an opportunity to identify its key priorities, and see where we can further implement it within our day-to-day operations as a Service.”

In some situations behaviours and words in the home, workplace, or across society as a whole may seem harmless but normalising them ignores the short- and long-term effects on women and can lead to more extreme violence.

The work of White Ribbon UK is aimed at encouraging everyone, especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. A promise that over the years has already been taken up by tens of thousands of people across Europe.

White Ribbon Day and its wider activities are also supported by our blue light emergency service colleagues who continuingly champion the prevention of violence against women and girls throughout the region.

For further information about White Ribbon Day please visit www.whiteribbon.org.uk