Tayside Police has joined forces with Tayside Fire and Rescue and NHS Tayside to pledge support for the White Ribbon Campaign against domestic violence.
The White Ribbon Campaign started in Canada in 1991 when a handful of men decided they had a responsibility to speak out against violence against women.
They decided wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of their pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women, and it is now the largest campaign of its type in the world aimed at men.
Now every year men are urged to wear a white ribbon for one or two weeks starting on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
In Scotland a domestic violence incident is recorded every 11 minutes.
Police Officers will be encouraged to wear the white ribbon on their uniform, and white ribbons will be available to members of the public at police stations across Tayside.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable of Tayside Police, Angela Wilson, said: "Domestic abuse is sadly a common experience. As many as one in five women in Scotland experience it. Tayside Police wants to see a safe, fair and just environment for all of the communities we serve. Eradicating domestic abuse is a key part of delivering that.
"The very nature of this form of abuse means that it often goes unnoticed, unrecognised and underreported or worst of all ignored. Most men in Scotland are not violent towards women but many ignore the problem, or see it as something that has nothing to do with them.
"We don't want people to turn a blind eye to domestic abuse. We want people to come forward and report it.
"That is why we are delighted to be working closely with our public sector partners, voluntary and support agencies to highlight the White Ribbon campaign and to pledge our support. It is vital that we support those organisations and agencies who work directly with those experiencing abuse."
Watch Manager at Tayside Fire and Rescue Service, Garry Brown, added: "Tayside Fire and Rescue Service support this campaign whole-heartedly and hope that it will raise awareness, particularly with men, to the problem of domestic abuse which is very often a hidden problem but one that can destroy lives.
"Through the White Ribbon Campaign, men should know that they can make a difference by agreeing not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. The fact that this campaign has been running for 18 years shows that more and more men do want to make a difference."
