Last year Sheffield City Council became a White Ribbon registered local authority. In 2022/2023 the Sheffield Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service received 671 referrals, evidently showing that putting an end to violence against women is both a global and local issue.
Read on to find out what the day is, what you can do to show your support, and what Sheffield are doing.
What is White Ribbon day?
The 25 November 2023 marks White Ribbon day and the start of the 16 Days of Action.
This year the charity are encouraging both individuals and organisations to make consistent choices to #ChangeTheStory for women and girls so that they can live free of fear.
The aim of the hashtag is to help men understand that women and girls live with a fear of violence that men will never experience in the same way.
What are Sheffield doing?
It was reported in 2021/2022 that 2.3% of people aged 16 or over have been a victim of sexual assault in the last year.
For Sheffield that equates to:
- 7,702 females and
- 2,674 males
To raise awareness for those who are victims of sexual assault Sheffield City Council are encouraging people to make the White Ribbon pledge to show their support in a bid to end violence against women.
As part of the campaign the council will be taking part in a number of initiatives to raise awareness for the charity, staff will be wearing white ribbons and attending events that are happening in the local community.
Make your pledge here: Make the White Ribbon Promise — White Ribbon UK
What is the White Ribbon charity?
White Ribbon charity is the UK’s leading charity which engages men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
They work with men to help change the harmful attitudes, systems, and stereotypical societal norms around masculinity that can later manifest into inequality and violence.
The charity hopes to address the root cause to prevent and stop the violence before it starts.
They aim to enforce change by raising awareness through campaigns like the White Ribbon Day, encouraging people to make the White Ribbon Promise and by educating young people with the relevant resources so that they can challenge inequalities themselves if faced with them.
