Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth have announced plans to tackle violence against women after teaming up with White Ribbon.
The Cherries uploaded a video across their social media channels last week to highlight one in two women feel unsafe walking alone after dark.
The clip shows a female Bournemouth supporter uncomfortably walking home after an evening game – and suggests what male fans can do to help – such as crossing the road when walking behind a woman late at night.
Bournemouth have been widely praised for the video and the club are now taking further steps to help address the issue, after becoming one of White Ribbon’s official supporter organisations.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women called This Is Not Right.
Throughout the year we will be bringing you stories that shine a light on the sheer scale of the epidemic.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to educate, engage and empower our readers on the issue of violence against women.
White Ribbon are the leading UK charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls, with today dubbed ‘White Ribbon Day’.
Leyla Buran, campaigns and policy manager at White Ribbon, told Metro: ‘Sports is an important space where men and boys explore how to express themselves.
‘This can be a space where they learn how to be disciplined, care for others and learn how to work as part of a team. This is exactly what the AFC Bournemouth video speaks to.
‘Understanding the difference in experience of men and women attending matchdays is vital to men’s allyship towards women and girls. It’s also vital to ensure women’s enjoyment and accessibility to the sport.’
Bournemouth, meanwhile, posted on X: ‘We will be officially supporting White Ribbon Day on Monday 25th November, when staff and different age groups at the club’s academy will receive training on the theme in general with additional coverage of their safeguarding responsibilities and the role they play in modelling allyship.
‘A separate event, created in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and hosted at Vitality Stadium, will focus on violence against women and girls, misogyny, and healthy relationships.
‘This workshop, for local secondary school students, will be delivered by Solve, an organisation that has worked closely with the Premier League in this area.
‘The white ribbon, which represents men taking responsibility to challenge this issue, will be worn by various members of staff around the ground at tomorrow’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
‘Further information will also be available in our matchday programme and on big screens.
Learn more about White Ribbon
White Ribbon aims to end violence against women and girls by taking a preventative approach, engaging men and boys to listen and take action.
The charity works to challenge harmful behaviours, attitudes and systems surrounding gender norms and masculinity – all of which have been long-entrenched in society, and which allow violence against women and girls to continue.
White Ribbon looks at the root causes, aiming to stop violence before it begins. To find out more or get involved, visit the White Ribbon website here.
‘We have been working together with Dorset Police to ensure that women’s safety at AFC Bournemouth is of paramount importance, leading to the introduction of two female Operational Football Officers who will become familiar faces at all of our matches.’
Many football supporters have praised Bournemouth for their video on social media highlighting the issue around violence against women.
‘This is SOOOOO important,’ @stellamills__ posted on Instagram. ‘Sticking to main roads, not being able to listen to music, leaving early before it gets dark, being hyper vigilant – all part of the experience of being a woman. Great messaging.’
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