Milton Keynes City Council is encouraging local people to visit the Knife Angel at Stadium:MK to learn more about the prevention of violent crime.
On Saturday (10/12) the City Council and MK-ACT will be hosting a stall at the 27ft monument to highlight its commitment to the White Ribbon campaign – a global initiative that encourages people, especially men and boys, to challenge behaviour and change the culture that leads to abuse and violence against women.
Council colleagues and partners will be available from 12.30-3pm to speak with passers-by about tackling abuse against women and directing people to support.
Last month Milton Keynes City Council received White Ribbon Accreditation as recognition of its work to raise awareness in this area. A White Ribbon action plan produced by the City Council includes updates to its workplace domestic and sexual abuse policies, guidance and training for colleagues, housing and support services for women and children who need to flee violence and abuse and a range of measures to improve safety on the streets and in schools for local women and girls.
The Knife Angel arrived last week marked the start of a month of action against violence, which includes a range of intervention programmes run by colleagues from the City Council, Thames Valley Police (TVP), the Police & Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Police, MK Dons SET and the Safety Centre. It is already proving popular with almost 700 people a day visiting the monument since its arrival.
Many partners have come together to deliver the project, including Berkeley who donated £15,000 towards the intervention programmes.
The City Council is calling for communities to come together to support the initiative and get involved in upcoming activities. A series of workshops, competitions and activity days will be taking place to educate young people about the risks and heartbreak of getting involved in crime.
Stadium MK will host the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression known as the ‘Knife Angel’. Created in collaboration with all 43 UK police forces, the Home Office, anti-violence groups and hundreds of families who have been affected by knife crime, the monument is a symbol of the nation’s intolerance to violence and aggression. It was created by the British Ironwork Centre, by sculptor Alfie Bradley to highlight the impact knife crime has on people, families and communities.
A full list of events will be made available on http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/month-of-action.
“It’s really encouraging to see that so many people are engaging with the Knife Angel which will create even more conversations in the community about how we can work to stop all violence, especially knife crime. On Saturday, we’re specifically focusing on our commitment to ensuring women and girls feel safe in our city. This is about supporting women and girls and also working together to challenge misogynistic behaviour, which often leads to violence.”