A TEESSIDE MP has got involved in a campaign to reduce levels of violence against women.

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, backed the White Ribbon campaign after reading research which shows that 42 per cent of young people know girls whose boyfriends have hit them, while 40 per cent know girls whose boyfriends have coerced or pressurised them into having sexual intercourse.

The White Ribbon Campaign advocates the Government support educational programmes designed to reduce violence against women.

Speaking on White Ribbon Day, a day which is also recognised as the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Mr Cunningham said: “Though I know violence against women is very common in our society, I was still shocked to learn the realities of the levels of violence, and wholeheartedly support the objectives of the White Ribbon Campaign in not only reducing the rate of such violence, but eradicating it altogether.”