A group of residents has joined forces with Frome Town councillors and staff to take local action in response to the global problem of violence against women and girls (VAWG), ahead of White Ribbon Day 2025 on 25th November. White Ribbon Day is hosted by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity in England and Wales dedicated to engaging men and boys in the prevention of violence against women and girls. To mark the Frome campaign and raise awareness, Frome’s Christmas tree will be decorated with white ribbons.
A number of events and activities are planned, including signing up new White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions, installing the White Ribbon charity’s information in gents’ toilets across the town and hosting a free information and training session at Frome Town Hall on Sunday 26th October, between 3pm and 5pm.
Resident Holly Pickering, who has been working on the White Ribbon campaign since March, said “We have to act together as a community and a society to make a difference. Men have an incredibly important and valuable role to play by using their voices and their allyship, sending a clear message to the minority of men who cause the problem that their behaviour is unacceptable. We invite everyone in Frome, but particularly Frome’s men and boys, to join us in becoming White Ribbon Ambassadors or Champions this autumn.”
Cllr Anne Hills said “In March 2025, Frome Town Council’s International Women’s Day forum ‘Accelerate Action: A Safer Future for Women and Girls in Frome brought local people, educators and members of the statutory and voluntary sector together to find tangible, practical, local actions to mitigate misogyny and the harmful gender stereotypes that underpin gender-based violence. We’re inspired by the work White Ribbon UK does and we’re looking forward to raising awareness in Frome.
“There’s a rather aggressive phrase often used about changing behaviour – and to start a fight! – ‘calling someone out’. What we’re doing is the exact opposite – we want to ‘call everyone IN’! Join us, take the White Ribbon pledge to ‘never use, excuse or stay silent about men’s violence against women’ and you really will make a difference. The Ambassador/Champion training is free and it doesn’t take long at all, but hopefully it’s the start of a lifelong commitment to use your words and your actions to contribute to safety for women and girls, in Frome and beyond.
“Frome Town Council is also seeking official accreditation as a White Ribbon organisation – a public commitment showing that your town council takes this issue seriously and will work alongside our community partners to create a culture of safety and respect”
Join the team at the town hall on Sunday 26th October between 3pm and 5pm for more information. No need to book, just drop in.
Find out more about White Ribbon UK and how to become a White Ribbon Ambassador (men and those who identify as men) or a White Ribbon Champion (everyone else) at whiteribbon.org.uk
