Every year, 25 November is known as White Ribbon Day and is a day designed to provide the opportunity to educate people on the positive actions they can take to end men’s violence against women and girls.

Coincidentally, this year, 25 November is also the first day of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (VAWG).

Train operator Southeastern was recently accredited as a White Ribbon organisation through demonstrating its commitment to end VAWG by working with colleagues, communities, and stakeholders. Its White Ribbon Steering Group is chaired by Darren O’Brien and comprises colleagues from Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing, the Women’s Colleague network group, and the Domestic Taboo subgroup.

The campaign’s theme this year #ChangeTheStory, which is designed to:

• persuade people to challenge seemingly harmless attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence for women and girls;
• make a White Ribbon Promise, and;
• signpost people to support.

Figures show that in the 12 months to March 2022, domestic abuse was experienced by 1.7 million women in England and Wales, whilst in the workplace 81% of women surveyed had experienced harassment by a man or men.

As a prelude to White Ribbon Day, Southeastern arranged for its Trax choir to perform two special performances of Rise, by Callum Scott, at London Bridge Station. The choir was dressed in black and white to match the White ribbon colours and was joined by colleagues from Network Rail, South Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Greater Anglia, The Rail Delivery Group, British Transport Police, and Transport for London.

Southeastern’s Choir leader, Elliot Waters, helped choose the song and commented: “It’s a song that is around reflection, the rich tapestry of life, and the unique journeys we have all come on to get to where we are. Regardless of the adversity we may face along the way, the thoughts that we have and the questions we answer which then throw another hurdle our way – we will always rise above it and be the best version of ourselves.”

Darren O’Brien, Deputy Head of Retail, who was instrumental in establishing the Rail to Refuge during the pandemic, said: “We care passionately about our people and passengers, and protecting women and girls from violence is a key feature of our Safe Guarding Strategy.

“A White Ribbon Steering Group has been set up to help ensure deliver positive changes to keep women and girls safe. Southeastern are a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, which demonstrates our commitment to end VAWG through working with our colleagues, communities and stakeholders.”