Across the globe and in the UK, today is White Ribbon Day.

What does that mean? It means Globally, the 25th of November is the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Men's Violence against Women, which is the largest violence against women campaign and kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.’

According to Women’s Aid. (2021) The Domestic Abuse Report 2022: Early Release. Bristol: Women’s Aid, ‘94.3% of perpetrators were male’, this is stark evidence that violence against women is still appallingly high.

In previous blog posts, I have shared and lamented about atrocities committed against women, therefore, on this day, I could not keep silent.

We have collectively seen in recent months and years an alarming increase in male violence against women. Not just nationally, but internationally as well. From the UK to India. From India to Brazil. From Brazil to Mexico. From Mexico to the USA: to name just a few countries where we have read about some high-profile cases. These cases received national and international exposure. How many cases did not? Certainly in the UK and I am sure elsewhere, during the lockdown and after the easing of restrictions, saw an increase in females accessing the services of Women’s Aid.

‘88% of a sub-sample of service users had experienced emotional abuse and 66.6% had experienced jealous or controlling behaviour.’

Just yesterday, an article by Sky News, reported that there has been a 6% increase in domestic abuse-related crime. Read the whole article here. Sky News Article

As someone who has had the humbling and profound experience of volunteering for a domestic violence charity, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effect of violence against women. One of the motivating factors for undertaking this voluntary work, to work with women in my local community, was because I too had experienced gender-based violence and abuse in previous relationships.

Abuse includes:

• financial

• emotional

• physical

• psychological

• sexual

The above can occur between couples as well as between family members.

Wearing a white ribbon today should not be about jumping on a bandwagon because you deem the cause fashionable, current, or trending. Wearing a white ribbon is a physical indicator that you see, seek to know, seek to understand how you can play your part in supporting those who have gone through such horrendous experiences.

Do not turn a blind eye to those who are in need.

Today and not just for today, acquire and wear a white ribbon. Show solidarity with those who have experienced violence at the hand of a male perpetrator.

What is the time?

The time is now. The time is now to end violence against women.

Where to get help?

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

https://galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/

For those of you who have endured such abuse, my heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you. Be encouraged to know that you can leave, you can heal, you can recover, and that you will move on from being a victim to a victor!

The last words of this post will be ones from Scripture and I hope that the promises stated, will become your reality as they became mine as you move on (wherever you are along your path to healing, wholeness, and wellness).

‘Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.’ Psalms 126:5

John 14: 27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’

Until next time.

Love & Blessings