Events and training to tackle VAWG in Richmond

Find out what is happening in our borough to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).

As a White Ribbon accredited organisation, we are committed to encouraging allyship within the borough.

White Ribbon Day and 16 Days of Activism 2024

Monday 25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (also called White Ribbon Day), and the start of 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.  

The focus of 2024’s White Ribbon Day is #ITSTARTSWITHMEN and White Ribbon is “Encouraging men to hold themselves accountable to women and each other so we can effect positive behavioural change to transform harmful cultures. Gender equality is achievable if men and boys understand and assume their responsibility as allies.”

White Ribbon Walks

We support the global campaign to encourage people, especially men and boys, to act and change the culture that leads to abuse. In Richmond upon Thames, we organise walks in our different wards to show solidarity with women and encourage residents to make a stand and call out abusive behaviour. Everyone is invited to join in the White Ribbon Walks.

Next White Ribbon Walk - held jointly with Kingston Council:

• Date: Saturday 7 December 2024
• Time: 12 midday
• Meeting point: Meet at Hampton Wick Station at 12 midday for a short speech, and we will then walk into central Kingston

White Ribbon stands

Members of the Community Safety team will be hosting public engagement stalls to raise awareness about Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and White Ribbon. Information leaflets for local support services and free personal safety resources will be available.

• Date: Sunday 24 November
• Time: 2 to 4pm
• Location: Twickenham Allianz Stadium (England v Japan match)

Run in partnership with the Met Police local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Free training and webinars

Various free training sessions and webinars for residents and professionals have been organised to increase awareness and share knowledge to help eliminate VAWG. 

Select a talk to find out more and book a place. 

If you are signing up for a professionals only webinar, please use your organisation’s email address. Personal emails will not be accepted.

Session timetable

Date	Time	Talk	Audience
Monday 25 November	2 to 3.30pm	Become an active bystander session (professionals/local organisations)	Professionals/local organisations
Monday 25 November	7 to 8.30pm	Become an active bystander session (residents/public)	Residents/public
Tuesday 26 November	10 to 11am	Domestic Abuse Act 2021 training (via TPD)	Professionals
Tuesday 26 November	2 to 3pm	Introduction to SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service	Professionals
Wednesday 27 November	10 to 11am	Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) webinar: Recognising and Responding to Economic Abuse	Professionals/local organisations
Monday 2 December	12 to 1pm	Met Police, Cyber Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment training	Professionals/local organisations
Wednesday 4 December	2 to 3pm	Introduction to SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service	Professionals
Wednesday 4 December	10am to 1pm	Como ajudar uma amiga em situação de abuso doméstico? Latin American Women’s Rights Service in person session at the Brazilian Consulate	Residents
Thursday 5 December	9.30am to 2.30pm	Conference: Hidden Abuse	Professionals/local organisations
Tuesday 10 December	10 to 11am	Domestic Abuse Act 2021 training for Children's Services (via TPD)	Children's Services professionals

Richmond Safe Space

If you’re feeling vulnerable in Richmond town centre on your night out, visit the Safe Space for signposting, support or simply company while you wait to get home.

Find it:

• Days: Fridays and Saturdays
• Time: 9pm to 12 midnight
• Location: The green marquee outside Richmond train station

One Stop Shop

The One Stop Shop is the borough’s weekly drop-in service offering free, discrete support, advice and information concerning domestic abuse, stalking and sexual violence.

Drop-in details:

• When: Every Friday
• Time: 10am to 12 noon
• Location: Citizens Advice, 94-102 High Street, Hampton Hill, TW12 1NY

Walk and talks

Police Community Officers host ‘walks and talks’ with female residents to give local women the opportunity to discuss issues around women’s safety.

Officers can offer advice and support, while hearing from you on what needs to be done to help women feel safer. Walks are also promoted on local police Twitter accounts.

The next walk and talk will take place in St Margarets:

• When: Monday 2 December 2024
  
• Time: 6pm
  
• Location: Meeting at St Margarets Station, we will walk to Twickenham Station via Amyand Park Road and Moor Mead Park

Become an active bystander

Have you ever witnessed an incident of sexual harassment in the street, at work, or on public transport and wished you had known how to intervene safely? Become an active bystander in your local community and play your part in preventing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

These sessions are being delivered to support members of the public to become more confident in safely intervening and becoming active bystanders.

Course dates

The next courses will take place over Microsoft Teams on:

• Wednesday 26 February 2025
• Wednesday 21 May 2025
• Wednesday 20 August 2025
• Tuesday 25 November 2025

All sessions will take place between 7 and 8.30pm.

Register for Active Bystander training

Sensitivity warning

The session will cover sensitive topics including domestic abuse, sexual harassment and violence, with a focus on VAWG. 

Training needs

If your organisation or community group is interested in taking part in an online or in person active bystander session, email Abi Jonas, VAWG Community Safety Officer for Richmond, at abi.jonas@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk, to discuss your needs.

If you have any other training needs related to VAWG, please reach out to discuss your requirements, as we may be able to assist. 

Stalls

If you want to learn more about what we are doing to end violence against women and girls and find out what you can do to help, you can speak to a council officer or volunteer in person.

• Twickenham Allianz Stadium for the England v Japan match - Sunday 24 November 2024, 2 to 4pm

VAWG Community Forum

In partnership with Wandsworth Council, organisations working to tackle VAWG are invited to a forum aimed at sharing ideas, collaborating, and ensuring there is a strong coordinated response across the system that supports women and girls at risk of abuse and violence.

The last VAWG Community Forum of 2024 will be held as a conference during the 16 Days of Activism focusing on ‘Hidden Abuse’.

Next forum: 

• Date: Thursday 5 December 2024
• Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
• Location: Clarendon Hall, York House, Twickenham

Sign up to reserve your place. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Future dates

Save the dates of upcoming VAWG Community Forums throughout 2025:

• Thursday 13 March 2025, in Wandsworth
• Thursday 12 June 2025, in Richmond
• Thursday 11 September 2025, in Wandsworth
• Thursday 4 December 2025, in Richmond

All events will take place from 9.30am to 1pm.

How to join

If your organisation would like to join the VAWG Community Forum, please email Abi Jonas, VAWG Community Safety Officer, at abi.jonas@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.