Aurora was proud to partner the National White Ribbon Relay 2012, which highlighted the links between violence against women and sport. More than 20 towns and cities across England and Wales took part, giving local communities the chance to stand up and say no to violence against women and children.
From 23rd June to 25th July 2012, the National White Ribbon Relay baton travelled to over 20 towns and cities across Great Britain, from Portsmouth to South Tyneside, Weymouth to Southend on Sea.
At each stopping point a special event was held to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, including the North Wales Women’s Centre Choir serenading the baton, a convoy of North West bikers transporting the baton through West Cheshire, before completing the last leg in the London Olympic boroughs.
The Relay was created and co-ordinated by the Portsmouth White Ribbon group, and supported by national partners Standing Together and Aurora New Dawn.
The campaign now continues to raise awareness about gender and sport in the To receive updates on future Relay events, follow National White Ribbon Relay on Facebook.
- links between the 'hyper-masculinity' or male domination of professional sports encourages, facilitates and even promotes violence against women
- the influx of tourists, site workers and contractors at major sporting events creates a particular environment that may impact on women's safety
- events such as the 2010 World Cup have highlighted the connections between sports spectatorship and intimate partner (or 'domestic') violence
- research shows that sport-related violence against women is perpetrated by male athletes, male fans or consumers of sports, and by coaches of female athletes