Richmond Council announces new champion to tackle violence against women

Councillor Katie Mansfield has become the borough’s second White Ribbon Champion following the tenure of Councillor Ben Khosa.

Councillor Mansfield said: "We must do everything we can to ensure the safety of women and girls in our public spaces, workplaces, classrooms and homes. We know that this will only happen if we work together as a community to address the issue. As the Council, we are working towards a long-term solution routed in a culture change and that means everyone in Richmond upon Thames has a key part to play in addressing the attitudes and behaviours that results in male violence."

Prior to her appointment, Councillor Mansfield has been personally involved in this work and taken an active role in encouraging residents to make a stand and call out abusive behaviour by taking part in the White Ribbon walks taking place across the borough.

In her role as White Ribbon Champion, she will be involved in delivering the Council's VAWG Strategy which prioritises changing behaviours, early identification, accessing support and holding perpetrators to account. She will also be working across the borough to encourage community engagement, providing residents with the opportunity and skills to fulfil the collective vision for a safer borough.

She said: "I am honoured to take on the mantle of overseeing the Council's work and to support officers as they deliver initiatives to engage men in the issues women face, provide training that empowers residents to support vulnerable people and work with partners and communities across our borough to make a real, lasting impact."

Richmond Council became a White Ribbon Accredited organisation in 2021, following a six-stage accreditation process that confirmed the Council meets the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010. Since then, the Council has been working to show its commitment to implementing a strategic approach to ending male violence against women by engaging with men and boys, changing cultures, and raising awareness in the borough.

This has been done by delivering bystander training as part of the Council’s work with the South West London Safer Streets Partnership, a collaboration with Kingston, Merton and Wandsworth Councils as well as the Metropolitan Police. The training has supported night-time economy workers and residents in order to develop allyship and empower the community to intervene safely.

Speaking at a meeting of the Full Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council said: “Over recent years we’ve been lucky enough to have the services of an excellent White Ribbon Champion in this borough, Cllr Ben Khosa. Somebody who has wholeheartedly thrown themselves behind the need to tackle the scourge of violence against women and girls. Indeed, it was during his tenure as Mayor that he had Refuge as his mayoral charity for the year.”

“He was the driving force behind many marches and making sure that White Ribbon advocacy was at the front and centre of our community safety policies within this borough. I hope you will all join me in thanking Cllr Khosa for the excellent work he has done and welcoming Cllr Mansfield to the role.” 

Find out more about Richmond Council's work to end violence against women.