A FOOTBALL club’s campaign to curb violence against women and girls has received council backing.
Lewes town councillors backed Lewes Football Club’s #CallHimOut campaign at their full council meeting, held at the town hall.
The club’s campaign started in response to high-profile cases of violence against women and girls and aims to persuade men to call out sexist and misogynistic behaviour.
A motion from councillors Emily Clarke, Imogen Makepeace and John Lamb called on male councillors to adopt the campaign, making a pledge to fight sexism and misogyny, adding the #CallHimOut logo to their email signatures and learning more through training about how to challenge bad behaviour in a safe way.
Cllr Clarke said: “Sexual assault is such a widespread, daily occurrence that it is rare to find a woman who has not experienced some kind of sexual harassment or assault.
“The World Health Organisation reports that roughly one in three women around the world has been subjected to physical or sexual violence.”
“Repeated surveys reveal a shocking tsunami of hatred against women, which demands action.
“Lewes FC deserves our support for its brave stand. The Town Council will do what it can to bring about a much-needed culture change.”
Cllr Lamb presented male councillors with lapel ribbons in Lewes FC colours.
The club is developing a programme for the men’s first team to mentor their Under 18s players as part of the campaign.
Lewes FC Director Karen Dobres: “It is up to men to take action. Fighting sexism and misogyny, so that women can be and feel safe, is the responsibility of men.
“We accept that how all men talk about women contributes to an environment where some men assault women and where all women can feel unsafe in their everyday lives.
“And our men’s team have made some fantastic public pledges on Twitter under the hashtag #CallHimOut”
In July 2017, Lewes FC became the first professional or semi-professional football club to pay its women’s team the same as its men’s team, as part of its Equality FC campaign.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here