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The island’s domestic abuse charity has launched its annual campaign which encourages men to pledge their commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
FREEDA (formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge) is hosting a free-to-attend panel discussion to mark White Ribbon Day.
Luke Hart, a campaigner from the UK who seeks to raise awareness about coercive control, will be visiting the island to join the panel of experts.
Entitled 'How Not to be a Bystander: Understanding Coercive Control', the panel event is due to take place at the Royal Yacht on 21 November from 17:15 to 19:00.
At the discussion, attendees will learn more about coercive control: how to identify its signs, actions to support those affected, and ultimately, "how not to be a bystander".
Pictured: Luke Hart campaigns with his brother.
Alongside his brother Ryan, Luke Hart has shared his family's story of coercive control and domestic homicide in hundreds of engagements across 13 countries.
In 2017 he released his book 'Remembered Forever' and set up the organisation CoCoAwareness to increase the awareness of coercive control.
He has trained tens of thousands of professionals in identifying, understanding, and ending domestic abuse.
Mr Hart has also worked with the charity Level Up to produce and advocate for the acceptance of domestic homicide reporting guidelines and has received a number of awards for his work in raising awareness – including the Lincolnshire Police Outstanding Contribution to Public Service 2018/2019, BBC Inspirations 2020 award, and the Big Issue's Top 100 Changemakers of 2020.
He is also a White Ribbon Ambassador and Refuge Champion who speaks out against male violence towards women and children.
The White Ribbon movement originated in Canada in 1991 when a group of men came together to address the issue of violence against women. Since then, it has evolved into a global movement.
The publication of the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce report last November revealed the scale of gender-based crimes in Jersey's community.
Among its 77 recommendations, the taskforce called for "the engagement of men and boys" to become "a key feature of future efforts to tackle VAWG in Jersey and should be represented as such in all future strategies".
Attendance is free at the panel event but islanders must reserve at place HERE.
FREEDA offers a confidential service which offers support and advice to victims of domestic abuse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The helpline can be reached at 0800 735683.
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