We are teaming up with our charity arm Key Unlocking Futures, Lancashire Football Association, South Ribble and Chorley Borough Councils to champion change to end violence against women and girls.

Today (25 November) is White Ribbon Day, a national campaign which aims to change attitudes and raise awareness of domestic abuse.

This year White Ribbon Day falls on the same week as the start of the FIFA men's World Cup and is marked with the launch of White Ribbon UK’s campaign #TheGoal. Running throughout the tournament, the campaign will highlight 11 traits that men and boys can nuture to help create a world of equality and safety for women.

The partnership between ourselves, Key Unlocking Futres and councils, will help raise awareness of the campaign in local pubs screening the world cup through a poster and beer mats campaign. The White Ribbon Day campaign was also highlighted at the Lancashire Football Association's Red Rose awards last night, which celebrated Lancashire's grassroots football community.

The support team from the South Ribble and Chorley refuges, which are managed by Progress Housing Group and the services provided by its charity Key Unlocking Futures, will also be hosting an information stand on Leyland market on Friday 9 December. 

Jacqui De-Rose, Group Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group, said: "We all need to stand together against violence towards women and girls, so on behalf of Progress Housing Group and our subsidiary charity, Key Unlocking Futures, I'm really grateful to Lancashire Football Association, South Ribble and Chorley Borough Councils for working with us.

“This year, White Ribbon Day is focuses on the attitudes and behaviours men and boys can adopt to help stop violence and abusive behaviour towards women and girls. Violence and abuse can happen to anyone of any gender, background or age, and support is available for everyone. However, insight shows that most victims are women and supporting national campaigns such as White Ribbon Day is an important part of our wider awareness-raising work to make domestic abuse everyone's business and highlight how people can get help."

Liz Stanton, Refuges Manager at Key Unlocking Futures: “This year the white ribbon campaign coincides with the world cup, and sadly reports of violence towards women tends to go up during this time.  So it is wonderful that the LFA have joined forces with us to highlight the campaign and work with us to spread the message that violence towards women and girls is never acceptable.”

Simon Gerrard, Lancashire FA CEO added: “Football has the power to change behaviour and really make a difference and we have joined forces with Progress Housing Group and Key Unlocking Futures to support this initiative in conjunction with our Lancashire FA Red Rose Awards, which took place last night on the eve of White Ribbon Day.

“By raising awareness among our football audience across Lancashire, we can play a small part in helping those in need and signposting them to the support available.”

White Ribbon Day marks the start of 16 days of action against violence against women and girls, which ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic abuse and requires emergency safe accommodation and specialist support, you can call the 24-hour South Ribble and Chorley domestic abuse helpline for free, confidential advice seven days a week on 01772 435865.

A text line is available between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, on 07790971237 with live chat also available at www.keyunlockingfutures.org.uk. In an emergency, you should always call 999.

For more information on the White Ribbon Campaign, visit www.whiteribbon.org.uk