When a recent NSPCC report shows that 1 in 4 girls aged 13-17 have experienced physical violence and 1 in 9 girls have experienced severe physical violence, by a partner or former partner, there has never been a better time to work alongside young people to ensure that they don’t have to suffer the heartache of abuse. The End Violence this Valentine campaign seeks to do just that!

Valentine’s Day offers a natural opportunity to think about relationships. End Violence this Valentine will work alongside schools across West Yorkshire to go beyond chocolates, cards and flowers and encourage young people to think about the relationships they have, the relationships they want and feel they deserve.

White Ribbon Campaign UK has collated a host of resources and suggested activities for work around positive relationships, bullying and gender for use with primary school children, such as making Be Kind Valentines Biscuits or learning about how hands are not for hurting through the staging of a puppet show.

There is an equivalent guide to resources and suggested activities for work with teenagers that focus more on teen partner abuse, sexual bullying and gendered violence. We are hoping schools will encourage students to use art, drama, stage make-up, music and any other media deemed appropriate to explore these issues.

We have taken a creative, colourful, cross curriculum approach to make it easy for all teachers (or parents) to do work on these issues. The learning experiences offered should be enjoyable and experienced as meaningful, by children and young people, their parents and educators.
These resources are free to download by clicking Resources and Education Resources.

We hope very much that your local school will get involved!

Most men are not violent towards women, but many of us ignore the problem, or see it as something which doesn't have anything to do with us. We need to join women and women's organisations in taking action to end the problem.

Take a stand against violence now and sign our personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men's violence against women.

Violence against women is an issue that is relevant to all men. All of us have friends who could be potential victims, and all of us know people who could be potential abusers. It is essential that all people work together to end domestic abuse now.

Berkshire East and South Bucks Women's Aid have opened a boutique-inspired charity shop in Farnham Common called White Ribbons, to tie in with the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women.

An article in the Maidenhead times can be seen by clicking here.

Makkah Masjid Mosque in Leeds, in association with NHS Leeds have produced a booklet 'Domestic Abuse - A guide for Muslim Communities'. This can be downloade as a PDF by clicking here. More details of the Makkah Mosque can be found on the Leeds Makkah Masjid website.