White Ribbon Scotland is an educational organisation that aims to encourage reflection and discussion that leads to personal and collective action among men to end violence against women. They state that most men do not commit violence against women, but all men have a role in ending it.
Throughout the year, they encourage men:
Take the pledge on the White Ribbon Scotland website to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women in all its forms.
The University joins key organisations across the region, under the umbrella of the Stirling Gender-Based Violence Partnership, in supporting the campaign. The endorsement also represents another step in the delivery of the joint University and Students’ Union strategy to prevent and tackle gender-based violence.
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling is leading the University’s commitment to the campaign as a White Ribbon Scotland Ambassador.
We are encouraging all staff and students to support the campaign. There are a variety of ways you can get involved.
Are you interested in becoming a Speaker or a Champion? Contact Kelly Marriot at kelly.marriot@stir.ac.uk for more information.
Speakers are people on the ground, having informal conversations with friends, awareness raising or attending and delivering events.
This includes:
Support will be received from White Ribbon Scotland to carry out this role and receive access to an app which enables those trained to engage with other Speakers and Champions across Stirling.
Speakers are people on the ground, attending and delivering events/activities. They are also there to start informal conversations about ways that men can help eradicate violence against women and girls with their peers.
Types of activities Speakers may be involved in:
Speakers are encouraged to collaborate on campus, they also have access to the wider Forth Valley network of Speakers via an app should they wish to collaborate with those outside of the University.
Frequency of events/activities
There is no specified requirement on the number of events or activities a Speaker should host per year. Informal conversations could be happening multiple times a day and some larger activities may be more resource-heavy to plan.
However, to maintain the momentum of the White Ribbon Scotland campaign we would like to see each Speaker involved in one University-related event or activity per semester. This could be Speakers working collaboratively together.
Person specification
Speakers can be of any gender but due to the target of the campaign men are more actively encouraged to take on this role. A commitment to raising awareness about violence against women is essential.
Useful skills
Training for Speakers
Duration: one day (can be split into two days, one module per day).
Delivery: online or in person.
Content overview:
After the training, each speaker is also provided with:
Support for Speakers
White Ribbon Scotland can provide ongoing support for Speakers. Champions across the University may also be able to provide limited support. Speakers will also have access to an app where they can talk to other Speakers in the area.
Champions are people able to support Speakers. Champions attend a two-hour briefing to be supportive and facilitate. Along with the Ambassador, they actively champion the role of men in ending violence against women and girls. This might include participating in videos or occasionally being present at events to promote the aims of White Ribbon Scotland.
Champions are those in a position to help facilitate and support Speakers with their events or activities, such as a line manager who can allow the Speaker some time away from their usual duties.
There is no expectation for Champions to become Speakers or to attend events or activities, but they can if they would like to.
Types of activities Champions may be involved in:
Frequency of support offered to Speakers
This will vary depending on the number of Speakers and Champions in a department, the number of events/activities and the knowledge of Speakers regarding setting up events/activities. There will likely be more support required initially and for new Speakers that join.
Person specification
Champions can be of any gender but due to the target of the campaign men are more actively encouraged to take on this role. A commitment to raising awareness about violence against women is essential.
Useful skills
Training for Champions
Duration: one half-day briefing.
Delivery: online or in person.
Content overview:
Support for Champions
White Ribbon Scotland can provide ongoing support for Champions. Champions may also support each other and offer advice. They will also have access to an app where they can talk to other Champions in the area.