Every year on 25 November, people across the world pause to recognise the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - most people know it as White Ribbon Day. It kicks off 16 days of action where charities, workplaces, community groups and individuals join forces to talk openly about violence against women and girls, and to encourage men and boys to take a stand against it.
At Leeway, this day is more than something we mark on social media. For us, it’s a reminder of the conversations that still aren’t happening, the behaviour that slips by unchallenged, and the people who are still living with the effects of domestic abuse every single day. That’s why we’re launching a new campaign this year, hoping to get people in Norfolk talking - whether that’s in a staff room, a school corridor, at home, or in a community group.
Domestic abuse affects people everywhere. It changes nothing if we all assume someone else will deal with it.
This year’s campaign, Pass the Ribbon, is built around a really simple idea: take the key messages behind White Ribbon Day and help them travel further. That’s it.
You’d be surprised how far something can go with just a bit of momentum. A quick share on social media, a profile picture change, a poster pinned up on a notice board - these tiny actions can be the spark for a bigger conversation. That’s exactly what we’re hoping for.
To make things easier, we’ve put together an asset pack you can download. Inside you’ll find:
Social media can spread a lot of harmful things, but it can spread positive messages too. One short post can reach someone who’s never really thought about domestic abuse before, or someone who’s quietly wondering if the things happening in their own life count as abuse.
Workplaces can help simply by putting the campaign somewhere visible. A poster in a reception area or by the kettle might be the exact moment someone decides to look for support. And adding a White Ribbon email signature is such an easy way to keep the message present without saying a word.
And honestly, one of the easiest ways to help is just sharing our posts so they reach more people. Every time someone shares something, the ribbon “passes” a bit further.
We all know that violence against women and girls is still a huge issue. Ask almost any woman and she’ll be able to tell you about a moment where she felt unsafe - walking home at night, waiting for a bus, even sitting in a classroom where someone made an uncomfortable comment.
Girlguiding UK’s recent research shows how young some of these experiences start. Girls as young as seven said boys at school made comments about their bodies. Older girls talked about avoiding school altogether to dodge harassment, or keeping quiet in class because they feared being mocked.
We also hear a lot from young people about the impact of social media. Certain influencers push harmful views about relationships, control and gender roles, and these ideas spread quickly. Over time, it chips away at confidence, shaping how young people see themselves and what they think is “normal” in a relationship.
This is why White Ribbon Day still matters. It pulls the issue back into the spotlight.
Change doesn’t happen when everyone stays quiet. It happens when people speak up, call out harmful attitudes and support one another. Awareness is the first step - people act on what they understand.
Passing the ribbon shows you want to help build a community where women and girls feel safe, respected and valued.
Here in Norfolk, we’re doing what we can to create safer spaces for women and girls. Our Healthy Relationships Service works with young people across the county, helping them understand what healthy and unhealthy behaviour looks like, and giving them the confidence to trust their instincts.
A big part of our work is talking about the messages they see online - everything from the expectation to “prove” loyalty, to pressure around appearance, to ideas about who should hold the power in a relationship. When these things go unchallenged, they start influencing how young people behave with each other.
We’re encouraged by what people tell us. Many say they feel more confident after our sessions. Some talk about friendships improving. Others say they can now recognise behaviour they once ignored or brushed off. These changes matter.
Pass the Ribbon helps us reach even more of the people who might need that support. It also reinforces something we say a lot: lasting change doesn’t just sit with us. It sits with the whole community.
You don’t need to do anything complicated. Small steps add up.
Here are a few easy ways to take part:
White Ribbon Day lasts one day, and the action continues for 16, but the issue doesn’t disappear once the campaign ends. Domestic abuse is still happening long after the posters come down, which is why these conversations need to continue throughout the year.
We’ll be sharing more ways to support the campaign during the 16 days, and we’d love as many people as possible to get involved.
White Ribbon Day is a reminder of the kind of community we want to build. Movements rarely grow from big gestures - they grow because ordinary people decide to get behind them.
When you help us Pass the Ribbon, you’re showing women and girls in Norfolk that they’re not invisible. It might seem like a small gesture, but it carries weight. It says that safety shouldn’t depend on luck, and respect shouldn’t be optional.
Domestic abuse affects all of us in some way, and things only change when people decide to get involved - even if it’s through small, everyday actions. With your support, we can keep moving things in the right direction.
