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White Ribbon Day is on Friday 25 November, the same week as the start of the FIFA men’s World Cup.
The day urges people to come together as a team, whether you like football or not, and work to end violence against women and girls.
Unfortunately, we know that domestic abuse and cases of violence against women increase during the men’s football World Cup.
In 2014 The Pathway Project produced a research paper that looked at the number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to one police force in England during three World Cup tournaments.
The study found that the number of incidents was 38 per cent higher on days when England lost a match to days when they weren’t playing, and 26 per cent higher when the team won or when there was a draw.
White Ribbon Day highlights and encourages ways men and boys can make a pledge and help create a world of equality and safety for women.
There will also be an event in Weston-super-Mare to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which also falls on Friday 25 November.
Join the march from Weston train station at 11am, or meet at noon in Grove Park for the annual orange ribbon tie, reading and poetry. Sprout café will be open and serving refreshments.
Domestic abuse will never be tolerated, no matter how unusual or difficult the circumstances.
Locally, domestic abuse support service Next Link provides safe houses for families, single women, women with complex needs, and men.
It also offers independent specialist support for high-risk victims and community outreach support for low or medium-risk victims.
Those who receive support can go on to build safe fulfilling lives free from violence and abuse.
If you need support for yourself or someone else, call Next Link on 0800 4700 280 or access the live chat facility online.
If you need help yourself, in an emergency call 999. If you can’t speak, press 55 when prompted.
For a round-up of all support services and discussion forums, visit our Safer and Stronger North Somerset website.