How Parish and Town Councils can help end violence against women and girls
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most serious challenges facing communities across the UK. While national organisations and charities work tirelessly to tackle this issue, local councils, particularly parish and town councils, are uniquely placed to make a difference close to home.
This year, as every year, 25 November marked White Ribbon Day, a global symbol and call to action for men and boys to speak out against violence towards women and girls. In the UK, White Ribbon UK leads the campaign, promoting allyship, prevention, and cultural change.
At the national level, National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has demonstrated leadership by becoming the first national body in local government to achieve White Ribbon accreditation, a commitment that involves a structured, multi-year action plan and engagement with parish and town councils across the country.
As part of our work at Norfolk ALC, we believe our communities can – and should – play a role in preventing gender-based violence. Even without large budgets or formal programmes, councils have real influence through community leadership, communication, and local networks.
Where to start: Trusted resources
Below is a list of organisations and resources that councillors, clerks, and community leaders can draw on:
- White Ribbon UK is the leading charity in England and Wales working to engage men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
- NALC’s White Ribbon toolkit provides practical steps specifically for local councils.
- Local domestic abuse support organisations and helplines, such as:
- Domestic abuse services mapping: broad directory that allows filtering by local authority and service type
- Women’s aid directory: searchable list of local and regional domestic abuse support services across the UK.
- Government’s guide on how to get help.
What parish and town councils can realistically do
Even without a formal “VAWG programme”, small councils can take meaningful steps:
- Share White Ribbon resources, information, and helpline contacts on council websites, newsletters, noticeboards, or social media.
- Encourage councillors and clerks – especially men – to take the White Ribbon Promise and act as role models in their communities.
- Work with local domestic abuse support groups to signpost help for people who may need it.
- Reviewing staff and councillor training needs, including VAWG awareness.
- Include discussion of community safety, respect, and equality in parish meetings, local newsletters, or in community-safety plans.
- Promote awareness: simple messages such as “We condemn all forms of violence against women and girls” broadens understanding that this issue affects everyone.
Councils don’t need to have a large budget or a formal programme to show leadership. Awareness, communication, and local influence are powerful tools.
Norfolk ALC’s commitment
Norfolk ALC will continue to champion good practice, share national updates, including NALC’s work, and encourage councils to consider how they can contribute to safer, more respectful communities. We all have a role to play, and even simple steps taken locally can have lasting impact.
Ending violence against women and girls is not just a matter for national bodies or specialist organisations: we all have a part to play. By working together at the local level, we can create communities where everyone is safe, respected, and valued.