‘Such a powerful message’: High Sheriff thanks rugby giants for joining White Ribbon campaign
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Jacky Bowes, High Sheriff of the East Riding
By Simon Bristow
The High Sheriff of the East Riding has described it as “really significant” that Hull’s two professional Rugby League clubs have joined forces to support the campaign to end violence against women and girls.
Super League giants Hull FC and Hull KR announced yesterday they were supporting White Ribbon UK, and would be helping to raise awareness of the issue at two matches around International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8.
Tonight, Rovers will wear the White Ribbon emblem on their shirts when they line-up against Leigh Leopards at Sewell Group Craven Park. The Airlie Birds will do likewise when they welcome Salford Red Devils to the MKM Stadium on Saturday, March 11.
The clubs’ support was initiated by High Sheriff Jacky Bowes, the King’s representative for law and order in the county, who had pledged to campaign on the issue on her appointment to the ancient role last year.
Speaking to The Hull Story about the partnership, Jacky said: “As High Sheriff I have brought people together to raise the profile of the issue of abuse of women and girls and to build on a commitment to make a difference in our county. It is a huge honour and privilege for me to have the support of the players and staff of our two great rugby teams, who took no convincing that this was a campaign to back.
RIVALS UNITED: Hull FC and Hull KR are supporting White Ribbon UK
“They agreed to take a match which wrapped around International Women’s Day, Wednesday 8th March, where they would not only wear the White Ribbon on their shirts but that they would also give us the opportunity, at the matches, to share information about the White Ribbon Campaign with supporters, and that’s exactly what we are going to do.
“Our favourite sports personalities are so often looked upon as our role models and so the strength of this campaign is really significant for that reason alone, but what makes this so powerful is that whilst the Red and Whites and Black and Whites are highly competitive on the pitch, they are uniting the White of their team colours and delivering such a strong message, standing up against domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.”
She added: “My sincere thanks to each and every one of them and especially James Clark and Phil Lakin, CEO’s of both clubs, and to all who have supported me in this great county throughout what has been an incredible year.”
In an interview on BBC Radio Humberside today, Jacky also spoke about why the campaign was important to her personally.
She said “I grew up in a household where domestic abuse was prevalent, so I know what it feels like to be in that sort of environment. I’ve been very fortunate that I moved away from that environment and I’m in an amazing household with my husband, but there are lots of people still who encounter this day in, day out, and we have to work hard to make this socially unacceptable.”
‘THIS NEEDS A CULTURAL CHANGE’: Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison
After attending tonight’s match, Jacky will host an event on International Women’s Day to recognise and build on the work being done to tackle the issue.
The event, which is taking place at Sewell Group Craven Park from 9.30am to noon, will be the third Courageous Conservations event Jacky has hosted as Sheriff. It is being supported by the Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.
Keynote speakers will be Luke and Ryan Hart and Rachel Williams. Luke and Ryan Hart are campaigners for the White Ribbon Ambassadors and Refuge Champions following events that led to the murder of their mother and sister by their father. Rachel Williams is a national campaigner following her own lived experience of domestic abuse.
Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “I am pleased to support the High Sheriff’s work to raise the awareness of abuse against women and girls, which I have made a priority as part of my Police and Crime Plan.
“The work of my office has highlighted the shocking truth that most women have experienced, at some point in their lives, abuse, violence, sexual harassment or misogyny. We must work to break this cycle which has been embedded in our society for generations - it requires a cultural change and needs men to play their part to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and to stand up to condemn abuse against women and call out those who commit abuse.”
The Courageous Conversations event is free to attend but places are limited. To book or find out more, email: csandearlyintervention@hullcc.gov.uk