Bedford Police to Participate in White Ribbon Day Campaign

BEDFORD, MA - The Bedford Police Department will participate in the 2016 Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign on Thursday.

Held annually on the first Thursday in March, the Commonwealth will honor the White Ribbon Day Campaign at a proclamation event at the State House on March 3. The campaign asks men to raise their voices and to be proud to make a personal and public commitment to promote respect, equality and non-violence, not only in their relationships, but in all aspects of their lives.

Representatives from the Bedford Police Department, along with peer leaders and athletes from Bedford High School will attend the event to pledge to stand up against violence.

"It's important for members of this department, along with students from our high school, to take a proactive approach in ending violence by participating in White Ribbon Day," said Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno. "As part of the commitment we make on Thursday, we will continuously work toward turning this promise into reality."

The School Resource Officer, along with the High School Athletic Director, will join students in the endeavor. Together, they will meet state Rep. Ken Gordon and Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian in Boston. There, they will be a part of a unified movement to change societal attitudes and beliefs that make excuses for violence against women, and in turn, promote safety and respect in all relationships.

“A man’s strength should be shown through his character and moral judgment, never through the use of force and violence,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “As co-chair of this year’s White Ribbon Day Campaign, this is a message I hope to reinforce while highlighting the crucial role men have in ending gender-based violence.”