Greater Anglia is joining the rest of the rail industry in supporting White Ribbon Day, the campaign to end violence against women and girls. Five of the company’s new trains will bear the White Ribbon Day logo to help raise awareness as they travel around the region. One intercity train, one Stansted Express train, one regional bi-mode train and two suburban trains will have the logo applied at each end and on both sides of the train, so the issue will be highlighted on routes all across the Greater Anglia network. White Ribbon Day takes place on Friday 25 November when Greater Anglia will also be helping to raise awareness of the issue on social media and remind people of the rail industry’s Rail to Refuge scheme which provides free travel for people fleeing domestic violence. Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Jonathan Denby, said, “We’re pleased to support White Ribbon Day and its aims to end violence against women and girls and along with the rest of the industry, have provided help through the Rail to Refuge scheme and by making our website a ‘Safe Space’. “We’re proud to display the White Ribbon Day logo on some of our trains to help raise awareness and encourage everyone to make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.” Since March 2020, Rail to Refuge has seen train operators across the country provide free tickets to 3,118 people, including 874 children. 65% of people who used Rail to Refuge to date said they would not or could not have travelled if the journey hadn’t been paid for, with an average journey for recipients costing £73. The ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme is a partnership between the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, and Women’s Aid Federation England, Welsh Women’s Aid, Scottish Womens’ Aid and Imkaan. Survivors are supported by Women’s Aid Members Services and when they are offered a refuge place, the service can book the ticket(s) they need, with train companies covering the cost. Tickets are also provided for their children, if required. They can be used as e-tickets on a phone or can be picked up from stations with a debit or credit card. The scheme allows survivors to board a train and travel without having to explain their situation to anyone. Survivors of domestic abuse who would like to access the Rail to Refuge scheme, or need other support, can get in touch with Women’s Aid through their Live Chat service, open Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk Greater Anglia has also made its website a ‘Safe Space’ for survivors of domestic abuse. Online ‘Safe Spaces’ are untraceable web pages with information on specialist domestic abuse support services, national helplines and other resources developed by the charity, UK SAYS NO MORE. The train operator has added the charity’s ‘Safe Space’ widget to its home page at greateranglia.co.uk to enable those experiencing domestic abuse to discreetly access support and information while carrying out daily online tasks. The ‘Safe Space’ webpage does not appear in internet browsing history and has a quick exit function. Image Credit: A Greater Anglia train bearing the White Ribbon Day logo. Credit: Greater Anglia
