Important takeaways from the White Ribbon conference 

Author: Daisy Petrow, communications officer at NALC

In September 2023, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) attended the White Ribbon conference in Birmingham. White Ribbon’s mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes. They work with men and boys to change long established harmful attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity that perpetuate inequality and violence. Their work is preventative; they want to stop violence before it starts.  

As a newly White Ribbon accredited organisation, NALC attended the conference to learn from the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. Important and inspiring lessons, case studies, and best practices from other White Ribbon accredited organisations, ambassadors, and champions were shared with delegates. The conference also featured workshop sessions focusing on four key themes: domestic abuse awareness in the workplace, leadership for change, maximising White Ribbon Day, and reaching an audience of men and boys.  

Mike Tuggart MBE, strategic domestic abuse officer at North Wales Police, shared his story that led to his career working in the violence against women and girls’ sector and with White Ribbon. He shared his story of how he lost his mother to an abusive stepdad. His story illustrates just how much of an impact individuals can make. Mr Tuggart closed his speech with a quote that encompasses the message of White Ribbon’s work: “Changing the story starts with us”.  

Darren O’Brien, station manager at Southeastern, founded the lifesaving Rail to Refuge scheme. He spoke at the conference about the scheme which helps rehabilitate and save the lives of victims of domestic abuse. The scheme started as a collaboration between Women’s Aid and Southeastern to provide free train travel for women experiencing and escaping domestic abuse. Mr O’Brien said: “Change the story and lead by example”. 

Here are three important takeaways from the conference:  

1. Anyone can make an impact.  

No matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ the impact, it all makes a difference.  

Telling a friend, colleague or family member about the White Ribbon campaign can have a substantial ripple effect. This action is how NALC became a White Ribbon accredited organisation. In 2022, Cllr Kay Wesley (Congleton Town Council) gave her proposal to NALC to consider becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation. NALC since have become an accredited organisation, implemented a three-year action plan and made vital steps to help end violence against women and girls in the workplace and local community. 

You can stand up to injustices, misogynist behaviour, or harmful language, where it is safe and possible. A survey found that 86% of people in the UK do not know what to do when they witness street harassment happening. You can take the stand up against harassment training provided by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to learn how you can stand up against harassment.  

Visit the White Ribbon website for useful resources and important information to help your council or workplace aid the fight against violence. 

2. VAWG is an issue for men to help solve.  

Violence against women and girls is not just an issue for women to suffer with and solve alone. Men and boys must step up to be the change. The reality is that most violence against women is committed by men. So, men must help to change the story.  

Tackling violence against women and girls is down to men. 25% of girls at school have experienced unwanted touching. 60% of women have felt harassed by men in gyms. 1.7 million women suffered domestic abuse. The statistics are shocking.  

Wondering what you can do as a man? You could talk to your local pub, sports club, workplace, gym, or place of worship to support White Ribbon and encourage men to become allies. White Ribbon suggest ways you can show allyship. Some of these include speaking to your HR department in your workplace to adopt policies relating to gender equality and the safety of women, calling out inappropriate language and behaviours used by others, and challenging gender stereotypes and inequality if you encounter them at work. 

3. Lasting change is possible.  

A world where women and girls do not need to fear or experience violence is possible. A permanent culture change is possible. Although it can feel like such a huge issue to overcome and your input might not make any difference, it can.  

You could encourage your local (parish and town) council to become a White Ribbon accredited or supporter organisation to make a real difference. You could make the White Ribbon promise and promise to never use, excuse, or remain silent about men’s violence against women. You could become a White Ribbon ambassador (men) or champion (women).  

After reading this blog, I hope you are feeling inspired, motivated, and determined to make lasting changes in your local council and community. However, you might not be sure where to start. So, here are ten ways to end violence against women from UN women.

1. Speak up, speak out

2. Know the issue and the signs

3. Call out sexual harassment

4. Challenge beliefs on masculinity

5. Fund women’s organisations and charities

6. Call for better responses and services

7. Demand more data

8. Push for stronger laws

9. Support women’s leaderships

10. Build solidarity with other movements
    

The following blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the National Association of Local Councils. Any links to external sources included in this blog post are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement or approval of those websites' content, products, services, or policies. Therefore, readers should use discretion and judgment when applying the information to their circumstances. Finally, this blog post may be updated or revised without notice.