White Ribbon Day is observed on November 25th each year. It marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” a global campaign that runs until December 10^th which is International Human Rights Day. 

2024’s focus is encouraging men to “hold themselves accountable to women and each other” to help change harmful behaviours and attitudes of men towards women.  This can reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) and help work towards gender equality.  

NWG Network have been delivering Active Bystander training for two years now, focussing on tackling VAWG in the sport, physical activity and leisure sectors. This training looks in detail at how adults can take the initiative and become active bystanders to help challenge inappropriate behaviours or the language of young people, how to intervene and who can help you in different situations.  This training is available to professionals (6 hours of training) and volunteers (1½ hours training). For more information, please get in touch with Angie on: [email protected] 

A recent survey conducted by M.E.L Research and Kick it Out, which help promote awareness of the benefits of equality, inclusion, diversity policies and practices in football, spoke to over 1500 football fans, who identified as having a gender identity other than man (woman, non-binary or other gender identity), and to have ever either attended a professional or amateur game in person at a ground in England.

In this survey, 77% of people felt unsafe at football games and 42% had experienced sexist or misogynist behaviour on match day with 53% being told to “get back to the kitchen”. 41% of respondents said they would feel confident in calling out sexist behaviour at a football match. 

This data also translates to participation in sport with 43% of girls dropping out of sport when they go to secondary school this rises to 55% at the age of 15 and then rises to 63% when they reach age 17.  

There are many reasons why women and girls stop participating in sports and physical activity, therefore the question we have to ask ” Is misogyny and sexism a driving factor”. The data from “Everyone’s Invited website and recent Ofsted school inspection reports highlight the intense levels of intimidation, harassment and abuse that girls suffer at Schools, College and Universities.  

This demonstrates the need for Active Bystander Intervention training across the board, we are aware of colleagues delivering sessions in schools, in communities and alongside the NWG Network delivering sessions for sports coaches and volunteers. Challenging and changing the negative and often abusive language that some children and young people use, particularly towards women and girls is vital in making the sporting and community environments our children safer for all.  

But what are the consequences if we fail to challenge youngsters using sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic language, will they grow up to be the next generation of perpetrators of coercive controlling behaviours and domestic abusers? Not every child who uses inappropriate language as a child will grow up to be an abusive adult but tragically many will.

The current statistics regarding domestic abuse and coercive controlling behaviours are staggering, the data from the https://www.ncdv.org.uk/ is both disturbing and eye-opening and some more food for thought comes from Professor Jane Monckton-Smith, in her recent book “In Control-Dangerous Relationships and How they End in Murder”. She highlights the harrowing statistic that 3 women a week are murdered by their intimate partners in England every week but also asks the question about how many women take their own lives due to intense coercive controlling behaviour and domestic abuse that they have been exposed to.  

This is a very somber thought that does reiterate the need to support the White Ribbon campaign, please do let us know what you are doing to support the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence that starts on 25^th November 2024, we will be posting simple clear messages every day in support of the campaign as well as trying to promote male allyship and the importance that active bystanders can play in reducing harm and violence towards women and girls.  

What can you do to help: 

• Being an ally – stand up and support people around you 

• Challenging gender norms and inequalities  

• Be an Active Bystander – intervene safely, who else can help you?