Sexual predators have ‘nowhere to hide’ in Congleton, says White Ribbon Group

Congleton’s White Ribbon Group has spoken out to condemn the actions of high-profile sexual predators who have been in the news.

It emerged in a BBC documentary that Mohammed Al-Fayed, the owner of Harrods from 1985 to 2010, was an alleged sexual predator. The BBC heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted or raped them. Since the documentary was broadcast, many more women have come forward to say they were assaulted by Al Fayed, and that there was a ‘culture of impunity’ in Harrods that allowed him to get away with it.

Meanwhile, in Avignon, France, the trial continues of 51 alleged rapists led by Dominique Pelicot, who admitted to drugging his wife Gisèle unconscious and inviting strangers – more than 80 local men – to rape her while he filmed them. The defendants are ‘ordinary men’ including a firefighter, a journalist, a nurse, a prison guard and a construction worker. Only three of the men invited declined to rape her, and these three still did not report it to the police. Gisèle Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity to bring the case into the public eye and her poise and courage have made her an icon for women in France. 

Back in the UK, social media influencer Andrew Tate has been accused of rape by two women, following allegations of rape and sex trafficking in Romania. Tate has a following on X of 10 million and his TikTok videos have been viewed more than 12 billion times.  Most of his followers are young men.

Congleton Town Council Community Committee Chair and White Ribbon Ambassador Cllr Richard Walton reflected on these high profile cases:

“In different ways, they demonstrate how the combination of their own toxic misogyny and the unbridled power given to these men can make them devastatingly dangerous, and it is women who suffer the consequences.

“Sadly, this combination of misogyny and misuse of power are not unique to the rich and famous. Here in Congleton we also have men who use their power to sexually assault women. It is the goal of our White Ribbon team to stop it.”

Congleton has an incident of domestic violence reported every day and one of sexual violence every week on average, according to figures from Cheshire Constabulary. Most of these crimes are committed by someone known to the victim. In England and Wales, two women a week are murdered by a partner or ex-partner.

Earlier this year, two Congleton men were separately jailed at Chester Crown Court for serial sexual offences – 35 and 12 crimes respectively.

As one offender was sentenced, Cheshire Constabulary said:

“We treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

The White Ribbon UK mission is to engage men and boys to challenge cultures that lead to sexism, harassment and violence, in order to prevent these crimes.

Congleton Town Mayor and White Ribbon Champion, Cllr Kay Wesley explained:

“White Ribbon is about calling out the everyday sexism, the catcalls, the sexist jokes, the disrespectful behaviour, and also more serious things like unwanted touching and apparent controlling behaviour. They are all part of a continuum that ultimately leads to these horrendous crimes. None of it is acceptable, and White Ribbon encourages everyone to call it out where necessary.

“It seems that other staff at Harrods knew some of what was happening. Why didn’t they call it out?  Why were the women who complained not listened to?  It should not be up to victims of crime to persuade the authorities to act to keep them safe. It is vital that we all stand up against these behaviours in the workplace, in the pub, the sports club or anywhere else. That is what we encourage the people of Congleton to do.”

Cllr Walton continued:

“The theme of this year’s White Ribbon Day on 25 November is ‘It Starts with Men’, and that is our message to men and boys in Congleton – it starts with you. Call out poor behaviours and lack of respect in your peers. Report them if needed. Let’s be good allies to women.

“To local women and girls I say this - We are serious about eradicating predatory male behaviours in Congleton. If you are concerned about someone’s behaviour, whether it is a family member, a friend, your boss, someone at school or college – report it to someone in authority, or to the Police if you think a crime has been committed.

You can also call the Rape and Sexual Assault Centre on:

0330 363 0063

They will believe you and give you the support you need.

“And we on the White Ribbon Group and the Town Council will do our best to ensure that sexual predators have nowhere to hide in Congleton.”

To get in touch with the White Ribbon Group or to get involved in White Ribbon Day 2024 email:

info@Congleton-tc.gov.uk

...with the subject line ‘White Ribbon’.

Pictured - Members of the White Ribbon Group.