News  Massachusetts Probation Service employees take the White Ribbon Pledge to end violence and kick off a month-long observance

In observance of the Massachusetts White Ribbon Campaign during the month of March, Probation employees across the state are taking the White Ribbon Day Pledge to end violence against women and all gender-based violence. White Ribbon Day kicked off March 5. Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) employees also welcome their Massachusetts Trial Court and criminal justice colleagues as well as community partners to take the pledge to symbolize their commitment to this important cause.

The activities kick off a month-long observance during which MPS employees are asked to wear the white ribbon pin throughout the month of March. White ribbons are available upon request through the Victim Services Unit (VSU) or at MTOC.

MPS’s Victim Services Unit (VSU)--five Victim Service Coordinators and the statewide director—are scheduled to attend ceremonies and lead the White Ribbon Day Pledge as well as capture these events in photographs to commemorate the day. There is also a White Ribbon pledge poster at MTOC which employees and visitors to the building can sign.

The White Ribbon Campaign was created by a group of Canadian men in 1991 on the second anniversary of a massacre of 14 women. They began the White Ribbon Campaign to urge men to speak out against violence against women. This observance now includes all gender-based violence.

Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan said he believes the White Ribbon Campaign is a cause that is important to the Massachusetts Probation Service and court employees as well as the victims and survivors the MPS serves.

“As the Probation Service, we see the devastating effects of violence against all gender-based violence and against intimate partners every day. It is crucial that we effectively support victims and survivors as part of a strategy of prevention and intervention to end this violence,” Commissioner Dolan said.

VSU Statewide Director Corinn Nelson added, “Taking the White Ribbon Pledge and wearing the ribbons is a symbol of our commitment to ending violence against women and gender-based violence. We are making a promise to never be a silent bystander and to be strong allies in stopping violence against women."

The White Ribbon Pledge is as follows:

I will promote respect, dignity and equality. I will speak out against attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual assault and domestic violence. I will remind myself and others that gender violence is a men’s issue that affects all of us, regardless of our backgrounds and identities. I will confront sexism, homophobia, racism and other forms of oppression. I will find out how to help when I suspect that someone I know is a victim or offender of sexual assault or domestic violence. From this day forward, I promise to be part of the solution in ending violence against women and all gender-based violence.