A GROUP of residents is working alongside Frome Town councillors and staff to take local action against violence towards women and girls, as part of a new community campaign supporting the national White Ribbon initiative.

White Ribbon Day, held November 25, is organised by White Ribbon UK, the leading charity in England and Wales dedicated to engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls. To mark the campaign and raise awareness, Frome’s Christmas tree will be decorated with white ribbons.

A number of events and activities are planned, including signing up new White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions, installing the White Ribbon charity’s information in gents’ toilets across the town and hosting a free information and training session at Frome Town Hall on Sunday, October 26 between 3pm and 5pm.

Resident Holly Pickering, who has been working on the White Ribbon campaign since March, said: "We have to act together as a community and a society to make a difference. Men have an incredibly important and valuable role to play by using their voices and their allyship, sending a clear message to the minority of men who cause the problem that their behaviour is unacceptable.

“We invite everyone in Frome, but particularly Frome’s men and boys, to join us in becoming White Ribbon Ambassadors or Champions this autumn.”

Cllr Anne Hills said: “In March 2025, Frome Town Council’s International Women’s Day forum, Accelerate Action: A Safer Future for Women and Girls in Frome, brought together local people, educators, and members of the statutory and voluntary sectors to identify tangible, practical local actions to tackle misogyny and the harmful gender stereotypes that underpin gender-based violence.”

“We’re inspired by the work of White Ribbon UK and look forward to raising awareness in Frome.”

“There’s a rather aggressive phrase often used about changing behaviour and to start a fight, ‘calling someone out’. What we’re doing is the exact opposite, we want to ‘call everyone in’. Join us and take the White Ribbon pledge to never use, excuse or stay silent about men’s violence against women, and you really will make a difference.”

“The Ambassador and Champion training is free and doesn’t take long, but we hope it marks the start of a lifelong commitment to use your words and actions to help create safety for women and girls in Frome and beyond.”

“Frome Town Council is also seeking official accreditation as a White Ribbon organisation – a public commitment showing that your town council takes this issue seriously and will work alongside our community partners to create a culture of safety and respect”

Residents can attend an information session at Frome Town Hall on Sunday, October 26, between 3pm and 5pm with no need to book, and find out more about White Ribbon UK, including how to become a White Ribbon Ambassador for men and those who identify as men or a White Ribbon Champion for everyone else, by visiting whiteribbon.org.uk.