'The idea that it's up to women to change their behaviouris an insult'
| Date | 24 March 2021 |
| Published date | 24 March 2021 |
| Publication title | Paisley Daily Express |
The poignant message from Renfrewshire Women's Association has remained fixed to a fence in Dunn Square since being installed, and highlights the campaign ongoing for decades to eradicate violence against women in society.
Now alongside the plaque, are other messages and banners, following the tragic death of 33-year-old Sarah Everard in London.
The marketing executive went missing on March 3 after leaving a friend's flat and her body was found a week later in woodland.
Her death has galvanised calls from campaigners and women all over the country for action to be taken to stop violence against women - including in Renfrewshire.
And MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Gavin Newlands, says it is up to men across Renfrewshire to discuss how behaviours need to change to help eradicate violence against women in communities.
Gavin is currently the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on White Ribbon - a national charity which highlights the male role in ending gender-based violence by educating boys and men across the country.
In 2019, he led the way in a
Renfrewshire campaign, with record numbers of betting shop customers signing the White Ribbon pledge against domestic abuse.
Customers in Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone and Linwood were among the final tally of 1,054 pledges - the highest ever achieved by the nationwide campaign.
Gavin said men must continue to be responsible for the change, not women.
He said: "What is clear is that the idea that women should change their behaviour to live their lives is an insult to every woman and girl.
"It's down to men to change their behaviour, and for their peers to change that behaviour and those attitudes when they rear their heads.
"As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on White Ribbon I've seen the brilliant work White Ribbon Scotland have been doing in spreading the word and reaching out to work with local agencies and across the country.
"But they can't do that work alone - they need support from the public and from men in particular for their work and the idea that it is males who need to change the way they behave with women and their attitudes towards each gender.
""his is not a women's problem - it is a blight on all of us society, and men are responsible both for their own actions and for challenging the actions of those around them who perpetrate the abuse and harassment women and girls have been expected to tolerate on a daily...
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