Carmarthenshire County Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the 2024 White Ribbon campaign, 'It Starts with Men,' launched on November 25.

The White Ribbon is a leading UK charity that seeks to engage men and boys in the fight against violence towards women and girls.

While domestic abuse affects both sexes, the majority of violent incidents involve men against women, making male violence an issue for everyone and not just women.

On the day of the campaign launch, White Ribbon flags were displayed at County Hall in Carmarthen and town halls in Llanelli and Ammanford.

County Hall was also illuminated on the evening of November 25 in support of the cause.

The council will work in collaboration with partner agencies, including the police, to raise awareness of the campaign.

This will include visits to licensed premises across the county, as well as leisure centres, theatres, and libraries.

An event in the Carmarthenshire Business Hub at St Catherine’s Walk on November 25, saw the official launch of a docudrama created by members of the Carmarthenshire Youth Council.

The docudrama, titled 'Never Silence The Violence,' was launched by the council’s director for education and children, Owain Lloyd.

The Carmarthenshire Youth Council, comprising young people aged 11 to 21 from across the county, produced the 15-minute docudrama.

They act as a voice for young people in the county and are supported by youth officers from Carmarthenshire County Council.

As part of the project, 12 young people from across Carmarthenshire received training on domestic abuse, learned how to keep themselves safe in such situations, explored where to go for support or guidance and met with professionals and organisations to gain a better understanding of the issue.

'Never Silence The Violence' explores the aftermath of reporting domestic abuse, a topic the youth council believes is rarely discussed.

The youth council hopes the docudrama will reassure young people that support is available if they report any domestic abuse they witness or experience.

Vice chairperson of the Youth Council, Toby Bithray, said: "I feel that it is important to promote and help raise awareness of the effects of witnessing domestic abuse and to encourage young people to use their voice and stand up against domestic abuse and make reporting domestic abuse that little bit easier.

"It has been an amazing experience working with such talented young people who are so passionate about this project and issue.

"All the young people involved have been inspired to work to win the fight against domestic abuse."

Cabinet member responsible for community safety, Cllr Carys Jones, added: "As a local authority, we wholeheartedly support the White Ribbon Campaign, as addressing male violence against women is a responsibility that falls upon the whole of society.

"I am particularly proud of the excellent work of Carmarthenshire’s Youth Council in producing this docudrama to raise awareness of this very serious issue amongst their peers.

"The Youth Council play an important role within the County Council’s wellbeing objective of enabling our children and young people to have the best possible start in life and they are a wonderful example of ethically informed citizens of Wales and the world."

The docudrama can be viewed on the Youth Sir Gar website.

The docudrama launch followed a short walk-through Carmarthen, organised by Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services Ltd (CarmDas), for men and boys to show their support.

The walk ended at St Catherine's Walk, where refreshments will be served.