The Open University commits to White Ribbon accreditation to end violence against women and girls

Posted on 27 November 2025 • Around the OU, University news

To mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, The Open University has committed to achieving White Ribbon accreditation. White Ribbon is the leading charity in England and Wales engaging men and boys to prevent men’s violence against women and girls. 

Each year in the UK, 2 million women experience violence by men. In England and Wales, 1 in 12 women are affected by stalking, harassment, sexual assault or domestic abuse. 

As part of the OUs commitment to achieving accreditation an institutional action plan will be created that will help the OU:   

• empower colleagues to challenge unacceptable behaviour.  

• engage men and boys as allies.  

• promote everyday actions that drive change.  

• demonstrate sector leadership in preventing gender-based violence.  

• embed White Ribbon principles across policies, culture and practice.  

On 25 November, a White Ribbon Vigil was held at MK Rose in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes which was attended by representatives from across the OU. OU staff members have also created eight OU shields, inspired by the themes “We Speak Up” and “Orange the world to end violence against women”. The shields are each sponsored by a senior male ally and will be part of an exhibition in CentreMK, curated by Voices of Women MK, in support of MK ACT and SAASSBMK (Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes). 

The OU is home to the Centre for Protecting Women Online which is funded by a £7.7 million grant from Research England. The Centre aims to understand and address challenges posed to women’s safety online through a novel, interdisciplinary and ambitious research agenda. Research previously released through the Centre revealed that over one in 10 women in England have experienced online violence, while three in 10 women (30%) have witnessed online violence. 

James Davies, Director of Partnerships and Engagement and a White Ribbon senior male ally at The Open University, said:

“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. It is preventable, and each of us has a part to play in creating a culture where safety, respect and dignity are never in question. The shocking statistics about the sheer number of women and girls affected by male violence demonstrate the need for organisations such as the OU to act. I’m pleased to be supporting the OU, alongside colleagues from across the university, in its work to achieve White Ribbon accreditation.” 

Jo Dyer, Director of Learner and Discovery Services at The Open University, said:

“The scale and spread of male violence against women both in person and online is truly horrific. The women and girls affected will be our friends, our family members, our colleagues and our acquaintances, we must do all we can to create cultures that are safer and respectful. A key part of the White Ribbon campaign is the recruitment of men and boys as allies and as champions. I’m pleased to see the commitment that senior male colleagues at the OU are making to support women and girls and help us end the dreadful violence that they face.” 

Main image – Jo Dyer and James Robbins at the shield exhibition in CentreMK