Sixteen years ago, in 2002, I was the victim of a violent attack at the hands of my ex-husband. In support of the White Ribbon Day #IfLoveHurts campaign, I’m sharing my story.

With less than a week to go until White Ribbon Day, we remind ourselves why the work we do is so necessary. Ending male violence against women starts with men.

Helene tells her story:

If Love Hurts has been developed to mark White Ribbon Day. Director Peter Giblin says,

The film explores the emotional aspect of domestic abuse and how that abuse takes place within a context of love. It takes on average up to eight abuses before a victim will feel able to speak out.  Often, victims of domestic abuse love their abusers, as well as fear them. Frequently victims will not realise they are in an abusive relationship. This is why the message of the film says ‘If love hurts, it’s not love’.

Despite controversial blocking from some MPs, the bill to introduce laws against unconsenting images such as 'upskirt' pictures being taken, the decision was taken today to ban them.

The government has confirmed it will introduce legislation to ban upskirting after a Conservative…

Bradford Council hosted the HOPE Not Hate festival last week. Our CEO Anthea Sully was present at our stall, talking to festivalgoers about the importance of the campaign, particularly in music. Ikram Butt, project coordinator for the campaign, gave a rousing speech about audiences being active bystanders and awareness of the issue of violence against women at festivals.

A recent YouGov report found that one in five festivalgoers – and more than two in five of those who are female and under 40 – say they have been sexually assaulted or harassed at a UK festival.

30% of female festivalgoers of all ages and 43% of those under 40 said they had faced some kind of…

For the second year running, the Jo Cox Foundation, in conjunction with White Ribbon UK, put on a rugby match in Jo Cox's hometown of Batley on 17th June. As part of this year’s Great Get Together, the British Asian Rugby Association played against the British Bulldogs for the White Ribbon UK Jo Cox Memorial Trophy. The carnival atmosphere continued post-match and into the evening…

Surrey are the second full county to gain White Ribbon UK accreditation. Twenty five Ambassadors from Surrey Police, Fire and Rescue Service, and other public sector organisations came together to learn share ideas and build a stronger white ribbon network across the County. Feedback included "Change can happen" "I feel enthused to continue making a difference" "Taking  action is easy - we just need…

Today the World Cup starts in Russia. We are aware that violence increases during World Cup season. The link between domestic abuse and major sporting events is well established. In 2014, researchers at Lancaster University found that reported incidents of domestic abuse in Lancashire rose by 38% on days when England lost at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Incidents were also…

Our World Cup campaign was given a massive boost at the England v Costa Rica warm up match which took place at Elland Road, Leeds on 7 June. We were delighted that Ikram Butt, White Ribbon’s sports programme coordinator was invited by the Football Association as a guest to the match, the last of their friendlies for England, prior to their departure heading off to Qatar for the World Cup competition….

Last Wednesday saw a well-attended 5-a-side tournament organised by Islington Council and Arsenal In The Community to bring attention to potential rise in Domestic Abuse during World Cup. 

Arsenal Community Hub was the ideal venue for this kind of event, and we saw some great…

Marcus Thompson, the newly-appointed Mayor of Calderdale, named three charities as his main focus for the year: Halifax Piece Hall, Cycling Without Age, and White Ribbon UK.

We look forward to our continued work with Calderdale Council and Marcus Thompson, and…

On March 8th the government launched a consultation, "Transforming the response to domestic abuse". The consultation closes on May 31 and we are hoping that White Ribbon ambassadors and champions will submit their own views…

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution and The Global Sex Trade published the results of its Inquiry  into Organised Sexual Exploitation in England and Wales on May 21st . 

Speakers included Gavin Shuker MP Jess Phillips MP,  Will Quince MP, the Chair of the Scottish…