#WR19 Conference
This year’s White Ribbon UK Conference in London was attended by nearly 120 delegates - including representatives from the public and voluntary sector, businesses and our volunteer White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions.
Gavin Newlands MP, Chair of the White Ribbon All Party Parliamentary Group opened the conference with an update on from developments from Westminster. The keynote speaker included White Ribbon Ambassador and Refuge Champion, Luke Hart. Luke’s father shot and killed his mother, Claire, and 19-year-old sister, Charlotte, in a car park swimming pool in broad daylight. He then committed suicide. Luke and his brother Ryan had broken Mum and Charlotte out of the family home only five days previously, and moved them to safety five miles from the family home. Luke and Ryan have created CoCo Awareness campaign to ensure that coercive and controlling behaviour is recognised and understood as abuse.
Documentary filmmaker, Leslie Lee discussed abusive behaviour of the workplace bully in relation to #metoo and Harvey Weinstein. Dr Rosemary Hill and Dr Stephen Burrell gave academic viewpoints on violence at gigs and festivals, and engaging men and boys. Bradley O’Donoghue spoke about educating and facilitating change in young people.
Delegates brought their own experience to the discussions and there were plenty of opportunities for sharing good practice.
Delegates attending #WR19 Conference at Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, London
Actions delegates said they will take as a result of the conference included:
Identifying opportunities to engage with young men and boys.
Work to increase the number of Ambassadors and Champions within their own organisation
Assessing risk assessments with regards to coercive control based on Luke Hart's findings
Speak to activity clubs across their county about the importance of the White Ribbon message, and to local events organisers about having a White Ribbon stand at their next event
Contact local organisations to arrange fundraisers for White Ribbon UK
Deliver a CPD session for their organisation to cascade learning and raise awareness
Speak to local events organisers about having a White Ribbon stand at their next event
Advocate more for education about gender-based violence in schools and universities
Our keynote speaker Luke Hart summed up the necessity to change the way men see themselves before we can hope to end violent behaviour:
“Masculinity makes men miserable. Men don't talk about it…we need to address masculinity and develop men's humanity instead”.