Orange Wolverhampton - say 'no' to violence against women and girls

The University of Wolverhampton is proud to stand alongside partners across the city in supporting Orange Wolves 2025, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness of domestic abuse. 

As Orange Wolverhampton prepares to celebrate its 10th year, we are joining forces with local partners to support the city’s contribution to the United Nations’ annual Orange the World 16 Days of Activism.

Orange Wolverhampton aims to raise awareness of the continuing drive to end all 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.

Reinforcing the message that there is #NoExcuse for violence against women, girls, men and boys, the University has joined local organisations including the City of Wolverhampton Council, The Haven Wolverhampton, St. George’s House Charity, Wolverhampton Homes, Wolverhampton LGBT+, Birmingham LGBT, DORCAS and ROSHNI have joined together to highlight the advice and support which is available to victims of domestic abuse across Wolverhampton.

Dr Clare Dickens MBE, Director of Student Life & Principal Safeguarding Lead at the University of Wolverhampton, said: 

"Safeguarding isn’t a distant concept for our community; it is close to home for many of our students and colleagues. Some are living with harm or the fear of it, some are supporting loved ones through crisis, and others are unsure what to do next. No one should ever have to navigate this alone.

"Supporting Orange Wolves 2025 is a timely reminder that safeguarding belongs to all of us - as colleagues, as students, and as a community.  If something doesn’t feel safe, on campus, on placement, online, or at home, please reach out. We will listen without judgment, respond with care, and work with you on the next right step. Where there is immediate risk, we will act quickly; where you need space and information, we will move at your pace. Our approach is trauma-informed, inclusive, and available to every member of our University - students and staff.

You are not alone. Contact safeguarding@wlv.ac.uk for confidential advice and support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. On Campus, please do use the SafeZone App also." 

The University of Wolverhampton's student Wellbeing Champion volunteers will also be supporting activities taking place throughout the month across the city. 

Events coming up this November include:

 For the full schedule, visit #orangewolves

If you or a loved one is suffering from domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, or so-called ‘honour-based’ abuse, help is available:

• The Haven Wolverhampton freephone helpline for women – 08000 194400, WhatsApp helpline – 07719 558153, Live Chat – havenrefuge.org.uk (WhatsApp and Live Chat available Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm)
• George’s House Charity support for men – 01902 421904, www.st-georges-house.org.uk
• Karma Nirvana helpline for victims of ‘honour-based’ violence and forced marriage – 0800 5999 247, https://karmanirvana.org.uk/
• 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, wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk.
• National Domestic Abuse helpline – 0808 2000 247
• NSPCC Female Genital Mutilation helpline – 0800 028 3550, nspcc.org.uk
• Wolverhampton LGBT+ – https://linktr.ee/W.LGBT
• Sikh Women's Aid – 0333 090 1220, sikhwomensaid.org.uk
• ROSHNI Birmingham – 24-hour multi-lingual forced marriage and honour-based abuse helpline – 0800 953 9777, roshnibirmingham.org.uk
• Dorcas – 07462 837349, https://dorcasuk.com/

In an emergency, always call police on 999.

A few words from community partners

Laura Rogers, CEO of women’s aid organisation The Haven Wolverhampton, said: “As the city's leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children for more than 50 years, our purpose remains steadfast in supporting victims and survivors to be seen, heard and safe. We are fierce in our advocacy for local and global change and seek an end to domestic abuse in all forms, empowering victims to overcome their abuse to ensure they are not just surviving, but thriving.

“We support Orange Wolverhampton, the city's contribution to the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, and are proud to unite with community partners to spur action and play our part in ending abuse.”

Recognising that Orange Wolverhampton is focused on ending interpersonal violence against all individuals, whatever their gender, Fazia Bano, Chief Executive Officer of St. George’s House Charity, said: "We are calling attention to the unique challenges faced by male victims of domestic violence and abuse and their children across the city.

"It is vital to recognise that male victims often encounter additional barriers, from difficulty in recognising abuse, to accessing support services, and being believed by family, friends, and professionals. These obstacles can leave many suffering in silence. By raising awareness, we aim to reach other men who may be suffering and remind them help is available." 

Kay Bourne, Wolverhampton Homes' Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Champion, said: "Wolverhampton Homes is committed to supporting Orange Wolves and embraces the partnership work within the city to raise awareness of domestic abuse. 

"Wolverhampton Homes achieved Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance gold accreditation in July, and this highlights our commitment to supporting our customers who are victims and survivors of abuse. 

"Once again, we are looking forward to participating in Orange Wolverhampton by attending community engagement events, sharing information on social media and raising awareness within Wolverhampton Homes with a 'wear orange' day."

Alex Poller from Wolverhampton LGBT+ said: "As an organisation, Wolverhampton LGBT+ stands as part of Orange Wolverhampton. We offer free counselling to those that want or need the support regardless of their background, as well as more focused social support for those within the queer community."

Steph Keeble, Director of Birmingham LGBT, added: "LGBTQ+ people are affected by domestic violence too. We offer culturally competent services to survivors of domestic abuse across the West Midlands and support the Orange Wolverhampton campaign to end all forms of gender-based abuse, and which takes a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse.”

Surwat Sohail, Chief Executive Officer of ROSHNI, said: “Honour should never be used as a weapon. At ROSHNI Birmingham, we stand with survivors of honour-based abuse and say: there is no honour in violence, silence, abuse or control. Every voice deserves freedom. Every life deserves dignity.”

And Jaspreet Aujla, Operations Manager at DORCAS (Daughters, Optimistic, Respect, Courage, Assurance & Support), a specialist organisation working to end female genital mutilation, added: “We are proud to be part of this collective effort to raise awareness, challenge harmful practices, and advocate for the rights and safety of women and girls.

"Through education, community engagement, and survivor-led support, DORCAS continues to lead conversations and actions that drive real change. Together, we stand united in saying there is no place for gender-based violence in our communities.”

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “Through close partnership working we have made significant progress in addressing gender-based violence, and the Orange Wolverhampton campaign is a great way for individuals and organisations to show that they are committed to tackling this issue, and highlighting where people can turn for help.”

For more information about Orange Wolverhampton campaign, and free resources, please visit www.orangewolves.net, which is in the process of being updated ahead of this year’s campaign.

The Orange Wolverhampton campaign runs from 25 November, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until 10 December, UN Human Rights Day, and supports the United Nations’ Orange the World 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women and girls. It is co-ordinated by Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together, the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and the council.