White Ribbon Day takes place on 25 November. It is a global awareness day where men and boys pledge to end violence against women and girls. The initiative launches alongside the annual #16DaysOfAction campaign, which runs to 10 December on Human Rights Day.

For local support with domestic abuse, you can read Soroptimist International's guide.

Brightly coloured illustration of a group of women.

"I speak up by not laughing at sexist 'jokes' or 'banter'."

Initiated in 1991, the ‘16 Days’ campaign is the longest-running and most widely-recognised initiative for women’s rights. Linking violence against women and human rights, it calls for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence. Over 6,000 organisations from approximately 187 countries participate each year, reaching circa 300 million people.

Digital illustration of different female faces on screens

"I speak up by backing up others who call something out."

This year’s theme is "UNITE! to End Digital Violence Against All Women & Girls".

 

Violence against women and girls affects one in three women. It is a global human rights emergency that must stop. As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – one of the most progressive international agreements on women’s rights to date – the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE 2025 campaign focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign is also a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality.

Digital illustration of mixed group of women campaigners.

"I speak up by removing myself from group chats where sexist comments are made."

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole the Safer BCP Partnership and BCP Council have arranged, and are supporting, a wide range of events which demonstrate our pledge to the elimination of violence against women and girls. Locally we recognise that anyone can be a victim of abuse, and provide support for everyone in our communities.

Digital illustration of multiple handprints with messages written on the palms.
Events

6 November 2025 - So Called 'Honour Based Violence' Training (Lunch and Learn), Online

12 noon to 12.45pm. 

11 November 2025 - Responding to domestic abuse affecting people with vision loss webinar, Online

1pm to 2pm.

18 November 2025 - Learning from Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR), Online

1pm to 2pm

18 November 2025 - Understanding and preventing forced marriage of people with learning disabilities, Online

3.30pm to 4.30pm.

18 November 2025 - FREE Bystander Intervention Training online - Full 2 hour version, Online

7pm to 9pm.

18 November 2025 - Stowe talks: Separation, surveillance and control, Online

5.30pm to 6.30pm

19 November 2025 - Preventing Domestic Abuse & Sexual Abuse Against Men, Online

10.30am to 12:30pm.

21 November 2025 - Joint Herefordshire & Worcestershire White Ribbon Conference 2025, Online

9.30am to 3.30pm.

25 November 2025 - This White Ribbon Day We Speak Up - Silence isn’t safe, Online

1.30pm to 2.30pm.

25 November 2025 - Domestic Abuse and Dementia: Improving Responses, Online

10am to 11.30am

25 November 2025 - MPath Assembly, The Leaf School

9.45am to 10.45am. For school students only.

25 November 2025 - MPath and #justdont for male professionals, Kinson Community Centre

1pm to 4pm. An event aimed at male professionals to increase awareness.

25 November 2025 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Online

10am to 11.30am.

26 November 2025 - Domestic Abuse in Later Life A focus on Non-Partner DA, Online

12 noon to 1pm.

26 November 2025 - MPath workshop day, The Avonbourne Academies

9am to 3.30pm. School students only.

26 November 2025 - Employer Panel, Domestic Abuse Services, Online

10am to 10.45am

26 November 2025 - Engaging with Women in Prostitution and Victims of Sexual Exploitation, Online

10am to 11.30am.

26 November 2025 - Stand Up Against Street Harassment Session, Online

12 noon to 12.30pm

26 November 2025 - Men’s Role in tackling male violence against women and girls, Online

4pm to 5pm.

27 November 2025 - Animal Abuse as a Strategy of Coercive Control, Online

10am to 12.30pm.

27 November 2025 - Identify domestic abuse and how to safely ask someone about domestic abuse, Online

10am to 11.30am.

27 November 2025 - #justdont Lunch and Learn, Online

12.30pm to 1pm. Available to all.

27 November 2025 - 'Honour' Based Abuse and Forced Marriage, Online

12.30pm to 2pm.

29 November 2025 to 5 December 2025 - 16 Days Against Gender Based Violence Art Exhibition, Bobbys in the Square

11am to 4pm. Exhibition on the first floor in Patch and the second floor in the Gallery. Available to all.

1 December 2025 - Deaf women and gender based violence, Online

10am to 12 midday.

2 December 2025 - Young Women and Girls & Sexual Violence Awareness Training, Online

10am to 12 midday.

3 December 2025 - 16 Days Against Gender Based Violence Children and Young People event, West Howe and Kinson Family Hub

2pm to 5pm. Available to all.

3 December 2025 - Animal Abuse as a Strategy of Coercive Control, Online

10am to 12.30pm.

3 December 2025 - Coercive & Controlling Behaviour in Teen Relationships, Online

10am to 1pm.

3 December 2025 - An Introduction to Sexual Violence, Online

10am to 12.30pm.

4 December 2025 - Sexual Harassment Lunch and Learn, Online via Skillgate

12.30pm to 1.30pm. Designed for professionals.

4 December 2025 - Stalking and Harassment Training (Lunch and Learn), Online

12pm to 12.45pm.

9 December 2025 - Forum on Working with Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse, The Factory

11am to 3pm. Designed for professionals.

9 December 2025 - What works? The evidence and working with perpetrators, Online

2pm to 3.30pm.

10 December 2025 - Empowering young voices: learning from their experiences of domestic abuse, Online

10am to 11.30am. 

10 December 2025 - LGBTQI+ Experiences of Domestic Abuse, Online

1pm to 2.30pm

10 December 2025, Non-Fatal Strangulation, Online

8.30pm to 9.30pm. Join us for a virtual event on non-fatal strangulation, where we'll discuss important information and resources to keep you safe.

16 December 2025, Understanding Forced Marriage and so called ‘Honour’ Based Abuse, Online

9.30am to 4.30pm.

BCP Council have just been awarded White Ribbon Accreditation. White Ribbon Accreditation is a commitment made by workplaces to work towards transformational culture change in their staff culture, systems and communities. We’ve now joined hundreds of organisations across England and Wales in making a commitment to make work a safe place for everyone.

White Ribbon, UN Women and For All Women and Girls logos.