Self-reflection can be an important part of it too, genuinely owning your own biases and stereotypes and working to challenge them. I like the phrase "The first thought that goes through your mind is what you have been conditioned to think; what you think next defines who you are." - we are all raised in a racist, unequal society and there is not a single person who will come out of that unaffected, so learning to hear what that first thought is and critically examine it is really important to practice I think. Image of a person thinking, hand on chin with green question marks behind him to the left. Respect and REW logos to the top left.

I try to listen and remain open-hearted and open-minded when I get feedback, which is fairly often, starting from within my family. They remind me often of my White privilege and it's a healthy, open and sometimes painful, but important conversation. Image of hands reaching out and holding on to each other. Respect and REW logos to the top right.

For me, anti-racist is an active term. It means I don't just believe in a world without racism, I want to be part of helping us move towards it. That looks different at different times and, over the years, I've come to understand that it's ok to do that within what feels safe for me. Right now, with everything going on in the UK and around the world, anti-racism to me is holding on to hope that progress is possible if we fight for it. - REW logo and Respect logo. Fist image to the right corner.

I've never really thought about what anti-racism means to me. But in my experience I find its a lot about not making assumptions, not fetishising, having a genuine interest in another person's culture without making that person feel uncomfortable. Image of people sat talking about table. REW logo and Respect logo to the top right.

Part of it is calling out racism when it's explicit and when it's micro-aggressions/more subtle, and doing so as a white person even when there is personal cost to do so. I think consciously seeking out the voices of people of different ethnicities to read and learn from can be part of active anti-racism - diversifying your social media feed, making sure you're not just reading books by old white men, considering who is telling you your news. Image of people in the left corner. REW and Respect logo to the top left.

I can say with honest certainty, that reading, and learning about other cultures, races, peoples and places has helped me to gain a better understanding of what being anti-racist truly can be. I have read a variety of texts from Black British authors about their experiences during the British Empire, journeying to England, where the pavements are painted gold (sadly not the case) and much more. What reading has taught me is to empathise, to understand that there is always more than one side to the story and to not take things at face value. Image of woman reading a book to the bottom right. Respect and REW logo to the top right.

Take a look at some of the ideas and thoughts we discussed...

During this week we are encouraged to reflect on what it means to be anti-racist and how we work towards racial equality.

Colleagues came together to reflect and share what being anti-racist means to them and shared resources and reading recommendations.

Last week was Race Equality Week and this year the theme was #ChangeNeedsAllOfUs. No matter who you are, where you work, or how much influence you think you have, you can make a difference.

Debbie Roach, Perpetrator Services Manager at Safer Merthyr Tydfil; Sue Coleman, Chief Executive of West Mercia Women's Aid; and Annie A Gibbs, Founder & CEO, Amour Destiné.

A huge congratulations to our colleagues at the Drive Partnership, we look forward to the next 10 years!

Photo of Ellen Miller

Photo of Jo Todd

There was also a fascinating expert panel in discussion with @commissionerda.bsky.social; with contributions from @jessasatomp.bsky.social, Chair of the APPG on Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse; April Dawn Ventour, Director at Creating Equalz 2;

Respect and Drive Partnership logos along the top. Quote reads: ''The strength of the Drive Partnership is that we are greater than the sum of our parts – we bring complementary strengths, different expertise and a range of perspectives. As we reflect on the last decade, we know that there’s still a huge amount to do. We will lift our heads up, we will listen to feedback from our colleagues and friends, and we will make the very most of the opportunities the expansion of Drive Project brings, so that all survivors, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised, are safer.”

Respect CEO, @jotodd.bsky.social shared the below:

Photo of Kyla Kirkpatrick

Photo of Jess Phillips

Photo of Josh Babarinde

Reflecting on a decade of progress, we heard from a range of keynote speakers including Shana Begum, SafeLives Pioneer; the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social, Josh Babarinde OBE MP; and Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director of the Drive Partnership.

It has been a pleasure to work alongside service delivery partners, funding and commissioner partners, statutory and non-statutory services, specialist co-production partners, by and for organisations, experts by experience,
researchers and academics and centrally victims and survivors.

In 2015 with Respect, @safelives.bsky.social, and Social Finance, the Drive Partnership was founded on a shared ambition to turn the tide on domestic abuse by challenging & changing the behaviour of those causing harm & supporting victims & survivors, including children, to live free from abuse.

Last week, @drivepartnership.bsky.social was delighted to mark a decade of collaborative work to challenge harmful behaviour and increase victim and survivor safety alongside nearly 150 partners and colleagues at its 10-year Anniversary Parliamentary Reception, hosted by @joshbabarinde.bsky.social.

The Drive Partnership is 10! 🎉

A graphic with a quote which says "Being part of the EDI Steering Group has given me the opportunity to influence the strategic steps Respect is taking to become an anti‑oppressive and anti‑racist organisation. The work of the EDI Steering Group is all about helping all of us not just talk the talk, but actually walk the walk." which is from Jo Szuryn, Project and Practice Lead at Make a Change and EDI Steering Group member. There are logos for Respect and Race Equality Week.

As part of these conversations, members of the EDI Steering Group have been sharing about their experience and why being part of the group is important to them.

There will always be more to do and we’re grateful to have colleagues committed to supporting us on this journey.
#RaceEqualityWeek (2/2)

A graphic with a quote which says "Being part of the EDI Steering Group has given me a complete different way, not only how I work, but how I view the world in general. This work is so important and I feel honoured to be a part of it, to help break barriers that people may be facing." which is from Mervin, Helplines Adviser and EDI Steering Group Co-Chair. There are logos for Respect and Race Equality Week.

It's Race Equality Week and this year's theme is #ChangeNeedsAllOfUs. No matter who you are, or how much influence you think you have, you can make a difference.

We've been having conversations about our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Steering Group and their hard work across Respect. (1/2)

Jobs in the domestic abuse sector | Respect Jobs with our member organisations

🧵Jobs Thread 🧵

There is still time to apply for the below roles in the domestic abuse sector at...

👉Equation Charity
👉eve Domestic Abuse Charity
👉Ahimsa

For more info: https://www.respect.org.uk/pages/140-jobs-in-the-domestic-abuse-sector

Public Affairs and Policy | Respect Find out how we're influencing policy change

Thank to you to all our speakers, members, and stakeholders for joining the session.

Learn more here: www.respect.org.uk/pages/71-pub...

It was a pleasure to hear from Dame Nicole Jacobs, @commissionerda.bsky.social, Janaya Walker, Head of Public Affairs at the @evawuk.bsky.social and our own CEO, @jotodd.bsky.social on their reflections following the published VAWG Strategy.

This meeting followed on from our May 2025 meeting where we anticipated the VAWG Strategy, which was published in December 2025.

Left to right: Caroline Bernard, Dame Nicole Jacobs, Janaya Walker, Jess Asato MP, Jo Todd CBE, Baroness Bertin

Earlier this week we held our first APPG for Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse meeting of 2026, facilitated by APPG Chair @jessasatomp.bsky.social and Vice-Chair Baroness Bertin.

Jobs in the domestic abuse sector | Respect Jobs with our member organisations

🧵Jobs Thread 🧵

There is still time to apply for the below roles in the domestic abuse sector at...

👉Parents And Children Together (PACT) UK
👉Equation Charity
👉eve Domestic Abuse Charity
👉Ahimsa

For more info: https://www.respect.org.uk/pages/140-jobs-in-the-domestic-abuse-sector

Thank you for sharing.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter | Respect Sign up to the Respect newsletter for a monthly digest of news from Respect and across the domestic abuse sector.

Our first Newsletter of 2026 is now live 🎉

https://ow.ly/sl2T50Y3G4U

This month we covered...
🎉Respect's response to the Govt. VAWG Strategy
🎉The National CAPVA service directory
🎉The NHS response to domestic abuse debate at Westminster Hall
🎉Investigation into X over Grok

And much more...

Silhouette of a woman in traditional attire speaking through a megaphone with colorful floral and arrow patterns emerging.

Exciting Report Launch 📣

Kaur Lab UK CIC is hosting an online report launch webinar ''Racism, Safety and the Lived Experiences of Women of Colour.''

📅 Date: Monday 2 February 2026
🕜 Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
📍 Format: Online

Register and further details 👉 https://ow.ly/BBZQ50Y15Gg

Jobs in the domestic abuse sector | Respect Jobs with our member organisations

For further details: www.respect.org.uk/pages/140-jo...

Equation is looking for...
💼Service Manager: Children & Young People Team
💼Communications & Marketing Manager
💼Treasurer Trustee

PACT Charity is looking for...
💼Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Workers - Permanent part time
💼Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker - Permanent full time
💼Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker - Permanent part time

🧵Jobs Thread 🧵

There is still time to apply for the below roles in the domestic abuse sector:

Please note: This opportunity is not connected to Respect, we are sharing it to support this work which we know will be of interest to many of our followers.

This is a paid role of £300 per full day committee meeting and there's lots more information on the NICE website: bit.ly/4qhigES

If you have any queries, you can email jessica.bailey@nice.org.uk or book in a chat with her: bit.ly/45683mr

Applications are due on Sunday 18th January by 23.59pm.

They're looking for the following:
- Female victim/survivors of domestic abuse
- Male victim/survivors of domestic abuse
- Someone who experienced the effects of domestic violence and abuse directly or indirectly as a child or young person
- A family member or loved one of people in these groups.