Ben Selby explains how men in the fire and rescue service can take part in White Ribbon Day this year
The White Ribbon movement began in 1991, founded by a group of men who sought to challenge and prevent violence against women and girls. Statistics on gender-based violence are still shocking today.
TUC research has found that 3 in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace. And government figures show that around 1 in 8 women were victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse or stalking in the last year.
Most women who experience this violence do so at the hands of a man they know.
This epidemic of violence is the product of a culture that we can – and must – challenge. It’s systemic across our society. But firefighters have an important, and unique, role to play in our communities. There are many positive role models on the frontline, treating others with dignity, respect and upholding equality every day.
In the fire service, our jobs and lives rely on working as highly communicative teams. But there can be a flip side, where pressure to fit in can make it hard to speak out. As men, it is in our power to change stereotypes of masculinity, which can trap men in isolation and aggression. We know that fire service leaders have overseen cultures of fear and silence.
To tackle management failings, we must be unified in standing with all of our sisters in the service. By challenging violence against women in all its forms, we will build a better workplace, union, and society. The FBU now has a steering group of male senior officials driving the union’s work on this, guided by the National Women’s Committee.
Wear a white ribbon and show your opposition to male violence against women on November 25
