White Ribbon Day: Everyone needs to stand up against violence to women, now more than ever
Blog by Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader at Shropshire Council
Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader, Shropshire Council
November 25th is marked internationally as White Ribbon Day, a day where across the world the focus is on preventing violence against women.
To mark the day, we are urging people to stand up against violence to women.
In Shropshire and the rest of the West Midlands, and across the world, women and girls are unable to live the lives they want to lead because of violence and the fear of violence and harassment. Most violence against women and girls is committed by men – and we live in a world where this is normalised and even encouraged in some situations.
This is an opportunity for all of us, and our colleagues, to stand up to men’s violence against women and girls and show a united front.
It’s appreciated that most men are not violent to women, but echoing the message of White Ribbon UK, ALL men can help to make a difference.
Every year in England and Wales around 150 women are murdered by men, many of whom were a current or former partner. Things that may be dismissed as ‘small’ acts – sharing sexist jokes at work or in group chats, catcalling women in the street, or staring at women in a pub – all contribute towards creating a culture of fear and misogyny. This is unacceptable.
White Ribbon Day 2022 logo
White Ribbon Day 2022 coincides with the Men’s World Cup. In July, we saw a huge outpouring of support for the England Women’s team. It seemed as if there was a real shift towards equality in sport. It was wonderful to see so many men were taking a positive and supportive interest.
We need to build on that momentum as we approach the Men’s World Cup. Sadly, it is an appalling reality that major sporting events see a rise in domestic abuse incidents. The behaviour exhibited by some football fans in pubs, clubs and public spaces can also be extremely threatening and alarming for women. It doesn’t have to be like this.
Sport can be a place where men can be their best selves – where they can learn to nurture traits that they take into all parts of their lives. Throughout the Men’s World Cup, White Ribbon UK are encouraging all men to nurture 11 of these traits, one for every member of a football team. These include: Caring, Empathetic, Reflective, Gentle, Courageous, Resilient, Reliable, Hopeful, Principled, Supportive and Ally
Please seek help
If your currently experiencing domestic abuse, whether you’re a woman or a man – please do reach out and seek help.
There are a number of places that you can go to get further support if you are experience domestic or sexual violence.
- For Adult Social Care and Safeguarding Concerns – 0345 678 9044
- For Safeguarding Children – 0345 678 9021
- For the Out of Hours Emergency Duty Teams – 0345 678 9040
- For Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) – 0300 303 1191 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
- For Galop – the National LGBTQ+ Experiencing Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428
- For the Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327
- For the West Mercia Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 7831 359 (24 hours)
- For the Respect Helpline (for anyone worried they may be harming someone else) – 0808 802 4040
- For Karma Nirvana (support for Honour Based Abuse) – 0800 5999 247
- For the Forced Marriage Unit – 0207 008 015
- See the Government Guidance on domestic abuse
- If you’re worried about someone abusing you is monitoring your internet usage, find out how to hide your browser history here.
Now more than ever we are asking people in their communities, organisations and workplaces to come together and say ‘no’ to violence against women. At home, at school, at work, in social settings and across our community, we can address men’s violence against women and children, and put a stop to it.
It is up to all of us to stand up for the equal rights of girls and women in our homes and communities, so that everyone can live without violence or the fear of it.
For more information about White Ribbon Day visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/
Further information
The Domestic Abuse section of our Wellbeing Pages has signposting to professional organisations in the Domestic Abuse Directory, as well as financial resources support for anyone wishing to flee their domestic abuse relationship but are hampered by their finances. There are also resources available on the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership (SSCP) website Domestic Abuse — Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership The pages also provide advice to colleagues looking to support others experiencing domestic abuse.
