Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why bother to wear a ribbon? How can a Ribbon Campaign bring change?

Wearing a ribbon is a symbol of commitment to action. It is a visible sign of our pledge to stop the violence and demand our rights.

We suggest five specific actions people can take:

join the international Campaign. By wearing a white ribbon and supporting the Campaign, you are joining an international network that stands in solidarity against all forms of violence against women.
ask others to join the Campaign
demand more funding for violence services
lobby for better domestic violence legislation in Virginia
work to create a culture that rejects violence, particularly violence against women

We invite others to think about additional things they might do to stop the violence, and to act on them now.

2. Why not demand that the Athletics Department at UVa revise its policies and programs?

Many of our supporters, including athletes and coaches, have already agreed to take action today and to work with us in the future on this issue. We are grateful that they are committed to long-term action. The University has announced that policies and programs will be revised. We will be monitoring this commitment and aim to work with everyone in the community to do all we can to making UVa a safer place for everyone.

3. Is the Campaign only endorsing the Women’s Center?

We believe many fine organizations dedicated to ending violence against women and helping survivors of violence exist in our community. As UVa students, we are most familiar with the Women’s Center, as it is located on Grounds. President Casteen has asked students to reach out for help if needed, yet we know the Women’s Center lacks sufficient funds to carry out its mission. As a student-led initiative, the WRC hopes its efforts will impact students, and recognizes that this may lead to even greater strains on the resources of the Women Center. So while we support better funding for all of our community’s organizations, we feel we have a special responsibility to support the Women’s Center.

4. Can we send donations?

We are not able to accept donations at this time. Our expenses have been covered by a pool of private funds in the Office of Student Affairs that finances student-led initiatives, as well as by the Class of 2010 Trustees. See our Supporters page for those who have donated their services.

One of our future aims is to increase funding for overburdened support resources such as the UVa Women’s Center. See our Moving Forward page.

5. Why aren’t ribbons being made available to the Charlottesville community?

We ordered 25,000 ribbons for the expected 30,000 graduates and guests. The white ribbon supplier is now sold out. We encourage everyone to join the campaign nevertheless! TAKE THE PLEDGE and if you cannot get a ribbon at graduation, make a white ribbon to wear and show your support.

6. Are you including the perpetrators and their families in this campaign?

Gender-based violence affects all of us, including perpetrators and their families. That is why our campaign asks everyone in the community to get involved.

7. Is this a campaign focused only on the recent incidents of violence against women in the UVa and Charlottesville community?

No. Gender-based violence affects all of us. Their deaths galvanized the organizers of this campaign to take action, to speak out, and to act locally about a global problem. We want to work together to stop the violence and improve our rights so we can all live violence-free.