Train operator vows to help transform harmful culture towards women and girls across the North of England

The train operator is working with White Ribbon, the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls, on a three-year campaign to take the charity’s message to its 7,000 employees and millions of customers.

Northern’s contribution will be led from the top, with managing director, Tricia Williams, chairing a dedicated group to champion the cause that will bring together staff in operational roles, support functions and those based at their TrainCare Centres.

Northern has since received White Ribbon Accreditation - a status awarded to organisations with a plan in place to help support the cause.

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “White Ribbon is doing amazing work to highlight the sad reality of unwanted sexual behaviour, harassment and abuse faced by women and girls across the country every day of the year.

“We’re proud to be working with them to change that reality – and our White Ribbon Accreditation is a sign of our commitment to bringing about positive change in the communities we serve and ensuring we have inclusive workplaces where everyone feels that they belong.”

Earlier this month, Northern’s chief operating officer, Matt Rice, took part in a panel event to discuss the role the rail industry has to play in the White Ribbon campaign, declaring “we can all do more”.

White Ribbon works with over 400 organisations to positively change harmful cultures, attitudes and behaviours so that all women and girls can live without the fear of violence or harassment.

Their campaign highlights that that 70% of women in the UK say they have experienced sexual harassment in public (APPG for UN Women, 2021).

Three in five women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse in the workplace (Trade Unions Congress, 2023) and 15% of women in England have experienced online violence (Professor Olga Jurasz, The Open University, 2024).

Nearly a quarter (24%) of girls in mixed sex schools said they had experiences of unwanted sexual touching in school (EVAW, 2023) and 1.4 million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (ONS).

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.