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date: 25 November 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Unions commit to tackling violence against women

The TUC is marking International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women today (Tuesday) by supporting the 'White Ribbon' campaign to tackle violence against women.

The TUC is working with unions including the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) to commit the union movement to ending violence against women.

The Midlands TUC have signed up with Walsall and Wolverhampton Wanders football clubs and will mark the 'White Ribbon' campaign by releasing commemorative black balloons outside the football grounds on upcoming match days.

The TUC believes that while most violence against women takes place behind closed doors, it has a devastating impact that affect people's working lives too.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Unionists across the world will be uniting on White Ribbon Day to show our commitment to tackling violence against women.

'Many union reps see how the effects of domestic violence spill into the workplace, which can become a refuge for women that suffer abuse. Unions therefore must play a key role in tackling violence against women.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Further information is available at www.whiteribbonday.org.uk

- Commemorative black balloons were released at Walsall's home game on 22 November and will be released at Wolverhampton's home game on 9 December.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 25 Nov 2008