A North Wales project aimed at preventing violence against women has marked White Ribbon Day.

The day, which falls on November 25 each year, aims to tackle the root causes of men's violence against women and girls, such as harmful attitudes, behaviours, and negative expressions of masculinity.

Since its creation 35 years ago in Canada, the White Ribbon has become a significant symbol in the fight to end gender-based violence.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, a White Ribbon Ambassador, recently visited a staff training project called 12 Dialogues to learn more about their work and to mark White Ribbon Day.

The project, led by Men At Work CIC, equips professionals working with boys and young men to address gender-based violence by fostering discussions on masculinity, the meaning of manhood, and its impact on the women in their lives.

The training is aimed at people working with young men and boys across education, youth justice, youth services, probation, and the police.

Participants learn how to open difficult conversations around thinking and behaviours that can lead to violence and abuse.

The 12 Dialogues training has had funding as part of the North Wales Serious Violence Response Strategy, which aims to work with communities to prevent and reduce serious violence across the region.

Mr Dunbobbin said: "I am proud to be a White Ribbon Ambassador and, throughout my time as PCC, I have steadfastly stood against gender-based violence and firmly in favour of justice for victims.

"But an important part of preventing violence against women and girls in the first place is by working with potential perpetrators, mainly men and boys, before violence happens.

"That is why the 12 Dialogues training project is so important.

"It was a pleasure to see the Men at Work team in action and learn about the methods they use to teach people how to engage in the conversations and engagement that will hopefully help to end gender-based violence."

He added: "Serious violence has a profound impact on individuals and communities across North Wales.

"During 2022-23 over 30,000 offences of violence against the person were recorded by the police across the region.

"While this was a welcome decrease from the year before – and shows the hard work of North Wales Police and partners in the community – I am determined to see this figure drop even further."

Michael Conroy, founder and director of Men At Work CIC, said: "The multiple training dates across North Wales have been a pleasure to facilitate.

"Diverse professionals have come together, generously sharing their experience and having some frank and creative conversations about the challenges around engaging boys and young men in constructive ways.

"I am struck by the commitment and sense of purpose in making positive change."

The North Wales Serious Violence Response Strategy has several key priorities, including supporting and enhancing prevention and early intervention around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, and sexual violence (VAWDASV).

It also aims to promote contextual safeguarding to work with children and young people vulnerable to exploitation and/or modern slavery.

The strategy also focuses on identifying and implementing improvements, best practices, and innovation as a partnership to respond to serious violence.

It aims to build a preventative approach in North Wales, through an understanding of risk, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma.

To learn more about the strategy and its purpose, visit the North Wales PCC website.