White Ribbon Period Begins Today: Join us on our 16 days of action to end men’s violence against women and girls

Domestic Abuse can affect anyone, no matter what gender you are.

In the UK one in the three victims of domestic abuse are men, equating to 699,000 in 2021/22. That figure rises by 1 million for female victims - 1.7m.

There is a gender imbalance with domestic abuse and this is why the White Ribbon Period exists, to address the reasons why women are more likely to be subject to domestic abuse, particularly high-risk domestic abuse. Men are more like to perpetrate and repeat, high-risk and fatal domestic abuse.

Conversations about domestic abuse so far has had a focus on victims, on what they can do to keep safe. Now is the time to put focus on those who abuse their partners/family members, and address the behaviours in society that make women and girls more vulnerable to abuse.  

Domestic Abuse is not just up to women to fix, it’s up to men as well - 3 men started the White Ribbon campaign.

It’s time we all come together to speak up, talk openly and kindly educate to change the country we live in for the better, where women and girls do not feel especially vulnerable to violence.

Over the next 16 days, teams across CNWL are hosting local activities, our yearly and now famous Trustwide conference is happening on 7 December.

Sign up to join CNWL’s Virtual Domestic Abuse Conference on 7 Dec, 9:30am-3:30pm by clicking this link here: Register here.

View all events happening across the Trust and join the event closest to you here: Event timetable.  

Maria O’Brien, Chief Nurse and Graeme Caul, Chief Operating Officer, have recorded messages for all staff. In these videos, both Maria and Graeme, reiterate their and the Trust’s support to do more to help prevent domestic abuse by helping to train staff to identify victims and perpetrators, and direct them to the support they need to stay safe or challenge their behaviour.

View Maria and Graeme’s video here.

This year, CNWL has its own theme for the White Ribbon Period - Windows of Opportunity: A Whole Health Approach. The theme references how all staff in the NHS, not matter if you work in physical, mental or sexual health, can make a difference in preventing domestic abuse.