White Ribbon Day 2023

The 25th November marks White Ribbon Day. As a White Ribbon Accredited organisation the Safety Centre is working alongside White Ribbon UK to #ChangeTheStory. Supporting the global campaign to challenge behaviour and end men’s abuse and violence against women and girls. With the aim to stop violence before it starts. We do this in many ways with our focus of enabling men and boys to be changemakers.

At the Safety Centre we have a team of White Ribbon male ‘Ambassadors’ and female ‘Champions’. They work to share the message that together, we can prevent violence against women and girls, building a better future together.

What is the White Ribbon Campaign?

The White Ribbon Campaign is an international campaign. It started in Canada after the École Polytechnique massacre, a tragic event that occurred on December 6, 1989, in Montreal. A gunman targeted women in the college, killing 14 female students and injuring several others. The attack was motivated by the perpetrator’s misogynistic beliefs.

The White Ribbon Campaign launched in 1991, encouraging men to wear white ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to ending violence against women and promoting gender equality. The campaign quickly gained traction and has grown into an international movement, advocating for awareness, education, and action to eliminate all forms of violence directed at women. The white ribbon itself became a powerful emblem of solidarity and a visible pledge to stand against violence.

The Statistics In The UK:

• Nearly 1 in 4 girls in mixed sex schools have had experiences of unwanted sexual touching
  in school. (EVAW)
• 6 in 10 women have felt harassed in the gym by a man. (The Gym-timidation Report)
• 30% of women have experienced workplace harassment, with 81% reporting that they had
  been harassed by a man/men. (Government Equalities Office)
• 1.7 million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. (ONS)

How You Can Get Involved:

• Wear a White Ribbon
• Make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women and girls. It takes 30 seconds and symbolises your personal commitment to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls.
• Call out inappropriate language – use gender neutral language yourself.
• Learn how to, and call out, sexist ‘banter’.
• Make sure that you know how to signpost people to services, when appropriate.
• Save the Domestic Abuse Helpline in your phone and signpost to it when needed.
• Use social media and share White Ribbon UK’s posts with your followers.
• Become a White Ribbon UK Ambassador or Champion
• Consider whether your workplace could become White Ribbon Accredited or a Supporter Organisation

White Ribbon Facts:

1. The Symbolic White Ribbon: The white ribbon, worn prominently on the 25th November and throughout the year serves as a visual commitment to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. It is a simple yet powerful gesture that unites people in a common cause.
2. Raising Awareness: White Ribbon Day serves as a platform to educate communities about the prevalence of domestic violence and its devastating impact on individuals and society. Events, campaigns, and educational initiatives are organized to shine light on the signs of abuse, challenge stereotypes, and encourage open conversations.
3. Empowering Through Education: Education plays a pivotal role in eradicating violence. By fostering awareness and understanding about healthy relationships, consent, and gender equality, we equip individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to break the cycle of abuse. Schools, workplaces, and communities can become hubs for education and change.
4. Community Involvement: White Ribbon Day encourages community engagement and collaboration. It is a call to action for individuals, businesses, and organizations to work together in creating safe spaces, offering support to survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. Community-driven initiatives contribute to building a society that values respect and equality.
5. Breaking the Silence: One of the core principles of White Ribbon Day is breaking the silence surrounding domestic violence. It urges everyone to speak up against abuse, support survivors, and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours. By fostering a culture of openness, we empower victims to seek help and create an environment where violence is not tolerated.

To find out more about the White Ribbon campaign visit the White Ribbon website here.