White Ribbon Day is an annual event that campaigns to end violence against women and girls across the UK and internationally.
This year’s theme ‘We Speak Up’ was written to encourage more men to use their voices and speak up to create a world where everyone is safe, equal and respected. The day is followed by 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Staff members and volunteers from Worcester Community Trust came together this year to raise awareness of this important campaign – asking men to make the White Ribbon Promise: to never use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
- On Monday 17th November we hosted the in-person meet up for the Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership, of which Worcester Community Trust are members.
- On Tuesday 25th November, staff and volunteers hosted a pop-up event outside the Guildhall in Worcester. In an impactful display, the team held up a timeline of changes that have been made to legislation across the past century to change the story for women and girls. Starting right back in 1870 when a woman and all her possessions no longer became her husband’s when she married, right up to more recent times when significant changes to the Online Safety Act mean that tech companies now have duties around coercive and controlling behaviour perpetrated on their platforms.
- On Thursday 27th November staff attending Reclaim the Night – a march in protest of all forms of male violence against women and girls.
- On Friday 28th November we held a celebration for our Domestic Abuse Champions to mark reaching 100+ champions.
- Throughout the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence we had White Ribbon displays up in each of our community hubs.
- We have also been selling White Ribbon bracelets to raise money for DAWN, our Domestic Abuse Support Service, which were handcrafted by the amazing Willow’s Whimsical Wonders
Jo Jefferson, Head of Health and Targeted Intervention at Worcester Community Trust said:
“As a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation, Worcester Community Trust are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, at work and beyond. Sexist jokes, catcalling, staring, and comments might seem harmless, but the truth is, they are serious and can lead to violence and abuse.
“We have had a fantastic response from members of the community during our events this year. We have had many conversations with people who have experienced or witnessed abuse, as well as many people who want to join us in speaking up to make change. Thank you to everybody who stopped by to talk to us, to everybody who has taken the time to learn more about the campaign, and to everybody who has made the White Ribbon Promise. We really appreciate everybody’s support.”
Find out more at whiteribbon.org.uk/wespeakup
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can request support from Worcester Community Trust via their website at worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/DAWN
Video credit: Bird Productions