Committing to Change: A Journey to End Violence Against Women and Girls
By Mark Balaam
As the founder of imabi and an ambassador for White Ribbon UK, I’m privileged to contribute to a charity dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. My personal and professional journey has been driven by a commitment to safety and positive societal change, and I firmly believe that we all have a role to play in this important mission.
The founding of imabi was very personal for me. As a father of two young teenage daughters, Imogen and Abigail, I was very aware of the challenges they would face growing up. From the pervasive threat of violence to the harmful impacts of online content and peer pressure, the risks were multifaceted and ever present. And having worked in safeguarding and security for more than 30 years, I was given an insight into how widespread violence against women and girls is. I know society needs to change, and to do that fostering a greater sense of awareness and community mindedness is essential. imabi was founded to help drive this – as a means to create a safer environment for my daughters and for all women and girls.
White Ribbon UK’s mission, then, aligns seamlessly with the values that underpin imabi. The charity's work in engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls is not just commendable but crucial. It’s vital for us all to recognise that violence against women is not a women's issue; it’s a societal issue that demands collective action.
imabi is more than a safety app; it’s a platform designed to drive positive behavioural and societal change. Our software suite is tailored to improve safety across various sectors, providing tools for incident reporting, guides on sensitive topics such as sexual assault, and access to support services.
Being an ambassador for White Ribbon UK has underscored the importance of listening to the lived experiences of women and committing to continuous self-reflection and learning. This journey is not about positioning oneself as a role model but about being an ally who is always ready to learn, grow, and support.
White Ribbon UK reminds us that while not all men are perpetrators, all men have the power and responsibility to stop violence against women and girls. This can be achieved through everyday actions, from calling out inappropriate behaviour to supporting survivors and advocating for policy changes that enhance protection and support.
As we move forward, it’s essential to keep the momentum going. Organisations like White Ribbon UK and initiatives such as imabi are leading the way, but lasting change requires widespread participation. Every individual, every community, and every organisation must commit to this cause.
Please reach out to us via hello@imabi.com to find out more, or download one of our apps from the App Store or Google Play Store today.
imabi Guardian is our safeguarding and wellness platform, designed to tackle violence against women and girls
imabi Community is creating positive social change by working with local authorities, boroughs, public bodies, charities and businesses
Railway Guardian is the UK’s first crime reporting app, creating safer travel on the rail network for all
If you’re a business owner, get in touch with our team at the email address above to discuss how imabi Pro can help you tackle harmful and discriminative behaviours to keep your employees safe and healthy.
If you work within education, reach out to us to chat through how imabi Inspire can provide safeguarding support to your institution and improve the mental health of your students and teaching staff.
Mark Balaam , CEO and founder of imabi, is a safeguarding expert with 30+ years' experience. imabi integrates safeguarding, safety, and wellbeing into one service, offering tools and support for education, workplaces, and communities. A White Ribbon Ambassador, Mark is committed to combating violence and making the world safer.