Events and training to tackle VAWG in Richmond

White Ribbon events

Tuesday 25 November is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, followed by 16 Days of Activism. We mark this with White Ribbon events and online workshops for professionals and local residents. White Ribbon’s theme this year, ‘WE SPEAK UP’, calls on men to challenge sexist jokes, catcalling, staring and comments that may seem harmless but can lead to violence and abuse.

These figures highlight why raising awareness and taking action is so important:

Over 1 in 4 women will be a victim of sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetimes. (National Audit Office, 2025)
3 in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace. 3 in 5 have experienced 3 or more incidents of bullying at work. (Trade Unions Congress, 2023)
39% of secondary school teachers said they are aware of at least one incident of misogynistic behaviour from a pupil in the last week. (BBC, 2025)

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 who lives, works or studies in the borough is invited to join us on the next White Ribbon Walk taking place during the 16 Days.

Date: Saturday 6 December
Time: 5pm
Meeting point: York House, Richmond Road, Twickenham. We will be walking to Richmond Station via East Twickenham and Richmond Bridge.

Come with a torch, lantern or mobile phone.

Free training, webinars and forums

Various free training sessions and webinars for residents, professionals, community organisations and the voluntary sector have been organised to increase awareness and share knowledge to help eliminate VAWG.

These sessions are focused on VAWG and may include content that attendees find distressing. Support services are available. Sensitivity warnings will also be given in each session, outlining the nature of the content that will be covered.

If you are signing up for a professional’s only webinar, please use your organisation’s email address. Personal emails, like Gmail, Outlook and Hotmail, will not be accepted.

Click on a session name to register your place.

Date and time	Session	Audience
25 November 10 to 11am	Domestic Abuse Act training webinar	Professionals, community organisations, voluntary sector
27 November 12 to 1pm	Introduction to VAWG webinar	Professionals, community organisations, voluntary sector
1 December 10am to 1pm	Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) training	Professionals, community organisations, voluntary sector
1 December, 2 to 3.30pm 2 December, 7 to 8.30pm	Become an active bystander	Residents, professionals, community organisations, voluntary sector
3 December 10am to 1pm	Introduction to harmful practices - “Honour” based abuse, forced marriage, and FGM	Professionals, community organisations and voluntary sector
4 December 10 to 11.30am	Social Switch Project: Recognising and responding to the risks of online harm	Residents, professionals, community organisations and voluntary sector
5 December 11am to 1pm	SafeLives: Non-Fatal Strangulation training	Professionals, community organisations and voluntary sector
9 December 9.30 to 11.30am	Incels: A deep dive into extreme misogyny	Residents, professionals, community organisations and voluntary sector
11 December 9.30am to 1pm	VAWG Community Forum	Professionals, community organisations and voluntary sector

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. We will be at:

Location: Richmond railway station
Date: Wednesday 26 November
Time: 4 to 6pm

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
Time: 8 to 11pm
Location: The green marquee outside Richmond train station

Stalls

If you want to learn more about what we are doing, members of the Community Safety team will be hosting public engagement stalls during 2025.

We raise awareness of:

Spiking
Personal safety
Local support services for domestic abuse and sexual violence

Information leaflets for local support services and free personal safety resources will be available.

Women’s Walk, Talk and Do

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.

Find out more about Walk, Talk and Do.

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).

Online sessions

We are running online sessions over Microsoft Teams, to help members of the public become more confident in safely intervening and becoming active bystanders.

Please register for your chosen session in advance.

E-module

Alternatively, you can access our online e-module version of the ‘become an active bystander’ session which can be completed on a day and time to suit your own needs.

The module can be completed independently or in a small group and takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Access the active bystander e-module

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.

Women's Hub

Voices of Hope’s Women’s Hub featuring the Sisterhood Choir and Sisterhood Sanctuary. The Women’s Hub is a free project providing a safe and welcoming community for women to come together to form connections and build self-confidence. The Women’s Hub offers support from volunteers, and numerous activities ranging from singing to crafting, and all attendees are offered a free lunch and refreshments.

Date: Every Wednesday (term time only)
Time: 11am to 12.30pm (choir), 12.30 to 2.30pm (sanctuary)
Location: The Vineyard Community Centre, The Vineyard, TW10 6AQ

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.

Next forum:

Date: Thursday 11 December 2025
Time: 10am to 1pm
Location: Richmond

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.

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

Up to: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Updated: 30 October 2025

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