Sandwell Stands is a community initiative, bringing partners together to tackle issues that impact Sandwell.
The first campaign saw partners engage communities across Sandwell to come together to end violence against women and girls.
Sandwell Council teamed up with Black Country Women’s Aid and other partners to run events in each of Sandwell’s six towns during 16 days of action, the international campaign that runs November 25-December 10, to raise awareness about gender-based violence and promote action against it.
The events included a ‘Reclaim the Night Walk’ on December 8 in Oldbury, organised by the Safer Sandwell Partnership, where over 125 people came together to promote safety and stand in solidarity with women in Sandwell.
The Safer Sandwell Partnership brings together Sandwell Council, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, Staffordshire and West Midlands Community Rehabilitation Company, National Probation Service and community and voluntary organisations including Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations, Rights & Equality Sandwell, Black Country Women’s Aid and Victim Support.
Together it has launched a series of initiatives including a Multi-Agency Decision-Making Panel for out of court disposals, St Giles Violence Intervention Project in local A&E departments to engage with victims of violence, placement of knife bins in locations to promote safety and active community engagement to inform its approach to making Sandwell a safer place.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill is the borough commander for Sandwell Local Policing Area. Attending the Reclaim the Night Walk, she shares a message about prevention and the support that is available.
Find out more about Sandwell Stands and the events they ran over November and December here.
Visit Black Country Women’s Aid website for advice and support or call BCWA’s 24-hour helpline on 0121 552 6448. Always call 999 in an emergency.
