Residents, businesses, schools, faith groups, charities and other organisations across Wolverhampton have once again united to say ‘no’ to interpersonal violence, as the city marked the conclusion of the 10th Orange Wolverhampton campaign.
Launched in 2015, the annual campaign has grown into a powerful movement raising awareness of the drive to end all forms of domestic abuse, including physical abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so called ‘honour based’ abuse, and stalking and harassment.
This year’s campaign, which ran from 25 November, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, concluded on UN Human Rights Day on Wednesday (10 December) and saw thousands of people take part in events and activities across the city.
Highlights included flag raising and lowering ceremonies outside the Civic Centre which heralded the start and end of the campaign, an Orange Wolverhampton information stand at the Mander Centre, lunch and learn sessions for professionals, and a wide range of community activities such as ‘go orange’ days, ribbon wearing, a city centre walk led by ROSHNI, and organisations sharing key messages with customers, clients and service users.
The Orange Wolverhampton ribbon was even broadcast around the world thanks to the support of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Speaking at the flag lowering event on Wednesday (10 December), Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “It has been wonderful to see so many different activities taking place over the last 16 days, with organisations, support services, community groups, schools, and residents all taking part in a diverse schedule of events.
“While our city’s contribution has again made us proud and given us hope for the future, we remain mindful of the profound and long lasting impacts that domestic abuse can have on individuals, their loved ones, and the wider community.
“There is much work that, together, we still need to do so that victims feel safe and supported in their recovery, so that perpetrators are held to account and harmful behaviours are challenged, and so that the effects of domestic abuse are limited.
“So, although today marks the end of this year’s campaign, it is also a vital opportunity for us to reaffirm our continued commitment to Orange Wolverhampton’s message, and a call to action for partners to help us harness this momentum until we welcome the next campaign in 2026.
“Together, we will continue to raise awareness of and respond to violence against women and girls, men and boys, in all its forms, and to make Wolverhampton a safe and welcoming place for people to grow up, work, and enjoy living in.”
Orange Wolverhampton supports the UN’s Orange the World campaign to end violence against women and girls, while in Wolverhampton there is a strong focus on ending interpersonal violence against all individuals, whatever their gender. Local organisations including the council, The Haven Wolverhampton, St. George’s House Charity, DORCAS, ROSHNI, and many more continue to champion the support available across the city.
If you or a loved one is suffering from domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so called ‘honour based’ abuse, help is available:
The Haven Wolverhampton freephone helpline for women – 08000 194400, WhatsApp helpline – 07719 558153, Live Chat – (WhatsApp and Live Chat available Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm)
St. George’s House Charity support for men – 01902 421904
Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of ‘honour based’ violence and forced marriage – 0800 5999 247
Wolverhampton Adult Social Care – 01902 551199 (out of hours 01902 552999)
Wolverhampton Children’s Social Care – 01902 555392 (out of hours 01902 552999)
Wolverhampton Homes – 01902 556789
National Domestic Abuse helpline – 0808 2000 247
NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation helpline – 0800 028 3550
Wolverhampton LGBT+
Sikh Women’s Aid – 0333 090 1220
ROSHNI Birmingham – 24 hour multi lingual forced marriage and honour based abuse helpline – 0800 953 9777
Dorcas – 07462 837349