Give violence against women and girls the boot during the World Cup 2022

The FIFA World Cup 2022 started last weekend, but the tournament is not the only thing that will kick off. Football tournaments such as the World Cup often correlate with a spike in domestic abuse incidents.

Redbridge Council is raising awareness of what constitutes domestic abuse and the support available for local people experiencing abuse.

Thursday 17 November saw the launch of Redbridge Council’s Women’s Safety Mission Statement at Full Council and November and December will see the national domestic abuse campaigns ’16 Days of Activism’ and ‘White Ribbon Day’ take place.

White Ribbon Day is a widely recognised global movement: in the UK, it is spearheaded by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. This year’s theme is #TheGoal, as the day falls on Friday, November 25, the week the World Cup starts, a time when violence against women and girls can increase.

This year on White Ribbon Day Redbridge Council is hosting a gazebo in Ilford Town Centre, outside Redbridge Town Hall from 12-4pm to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage local people to make a pledge to help end violence against women and girls.

Domestic abuse is not just physical violence. It can by psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or coercive behaviour and anyone can experience domestic abuse.

In Redbridge, there are a range of services which all residents who have or are experiencing domestic abuse can access, visit our website for more information.

The council, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police hold a monthly non-judgmental space, Safe2Talk, for women and girls who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, or abuse. Safe2Talk provides women and girls an opportunity to come and speak one-on-one with female experts including a police officer, a domestic abuse specialist, a housing officer and a lawyer. The sessions are being held in Fullwell Cross Library, Barkingside, and the next one is being held on Monday 28 November 2022, 2-6pm.

Redbridge is also the first Local Authority in London with an accredited Local-Authority led perpetrator programme. Created for those who have been abusive and are committed to changing their behaviours, the Spotlight Programme is a safe space to help people develop respectful and non-abusive relationships.

Although the programme is perpetrator-focused, the primary aim of the work is to increase the safety and wellbeing of survivors and their children. To find out more about the Spotlight Programme, including how to apply, you can find our booklet here.

Councillor Saima Ahmed, Redbridge Council’s Women's Champion, said: “The start of a football tournament as big as the World Cup should be an exciting time but, for some, it will be a time of fear of assault and violence. There is no place for domestic abuse in Redbridge and I am pleased that we are raising awareness of such an important topic. If you, or someone you know is experiencing abuse please access the support available here website. In an emergency always call 999.”