Supporting White Ribbon Day 2022
White Ribbon UK are the leading charity with the objective of ending male violence against women by engaging with men and boys to make a stand against violence. In recent years, there has been a greater understanding and acknowledgement that domestic violence can take many forms and men are not the only perpetrators.
In fact, there is an increasing awareness of the number of men who are subjected to violence by their partners, whether those partners are male or female themselves; of older family members subjected to physical, emotional and/or financial abuse by those family members in whom they have placed their upmost trust at what may be the most vulnerable time in their life; and of children subjected to abuse by their parents, carers and sometimes siblings.
Each year, thousands of people stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women. At Bennett Griffin LLP, we consider it essential that we stand up to all violence in this way. No-one should be subjected to such abuse and made to live in fear in their own home. As we move towards the end of the year, White Ribbon Day will serve as a reminder to everyone to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence.
Safe In Sussex
As a firm, Bennett Griffin have a strong and enduring history of supporting those who have been subjected to violence. We have worked with West Sussex charity Safe In Sussex, who provide help and support to all victims of domestic violence for over 15 years now. Jackie Mensah, Family lawyer, sat on the Trustee Committee several years ago, and Jackie, and her colleague Family lawyer Sarah Pennicott, regularly champion the aims of Safe in Sussex in their day-to-day work. To us as a law firm, and to some of our clients, this is an incredibly vital and valuable charity.
Safe in Sussex provides a range of services across West Sussex to help men and women experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse, with the overarching aim of ending domestic abuse through freedom and education. To break the cycle of domestic abuse, Safe in Sussex delivers “healthy relationships” educational programmes into schools. Safeguarding conversations can relate to all and any type of abuse and so this work is an amazing contribution to the community.
The charity has confidential refuge provision for those fleeing abuse, with four houses and also additional flats now. The latter accommodation can specifically facilitate the safety of male victim clients and victims identifying as part of the LGBTQ and other communities. This is a crucial recognition of the fact that anyone can be a perpetrator and that commonly held presumptions of who could be a victim-survivor must be questioned.
White Ribbon Day takes place this year on 25th November and we will be championing the day on our social channels – head to our Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn pages to keep updated.
If you are in immediate danger, call the Police on 999. Alternatively, visit the Safe In Sussex website for advice, resources and support.
Our Family team works closely with our expert colleagues in the Private Client (Wills, LPA’s etc) and throughout Bennett Griffin to ensure that the safety, security and happiness of our client’s is our shared and overriding objective.
To discuss any Family Law issue, call us on 01903 229999, email us at info@bennett-griffin.co.uk or by completing the contact form below