Today, on White Ribbon Day, Luton Town Community Trust stands alongside organisations, partners, and supporters across Bedfordshire to raise awareness of Male Violence Against Women and Girls.

This year, our commitment is strengthened by the recent and powerful event hosted here at Kenilworth Road: Bedfordshire’s first Hope Hack, a full day of youth-led engagement, discussion, and action that placed young people at the heart of the conversation.

The Hope Hack was delivered by the Hope Collective, working in partnership with the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Prevention Partnership (VEPP), Luton Town Community Trust, Bedfordshire Police, and a wide range of local organisations including TOKKO, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Next Generation Youth Theatre, Project YANA CIC, and others who all contributed to a meaningful and impactful day.

More than 100 young people from across the county joined us for discussions that were both eye-opening and solution-driven, confronting the challenges of violence against women and girls with honesty, bravery, and creativity.

Throughout the day, young people aged 13 to 17 participated in collaborative workshops exploring gender stereotypes, harmful norms, consent, respect, social media, influencers, online safety, and what it means to be an active bystander. They worked together to design practical, innovative ideas for change before pitching them to a Dragons’ Den-style panel. These proposals will now help shape future local strategies, ensuring that youth perspectives inform policies and prevention work across Bedfordshire.

The day also featured inspirational contributions from Usman Ahmed, Youth Management Group Co-ordinator at the Hope Collective, Jenni Steele, founder of Project YANA and Tysie Gallagher, the British Super-Bantamweight Champion and Commonwealth title holder.

Each spoke powerfully about resilience, respect, and challenging harmful behaviours. Creative performances from the Next Generation Youth Theatre and musician Lavz added energy and encouragement, while young attendees enjoyed a special tour of Kenilworth Road - reminding everyone that our football club is, and always will be, rooted in its community.

The impact of the event was widely felt by participants and partners. Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown described the Hope Hack as “a vital platform for young people to have their voices heard”, highlighting its value in shaping “safer, stronger communities”.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Umme Ali praised the “energy and creativity” of the young people and emphasised the importance of acting on their ideas.

And in a message to our Trust, Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizzard offered “a very big thank you” acknowledging the commitment, teamwork, and planning that helped bring the event to life.

Events like the Hope Hack matter because the scale of MVAWG remains deeply concerning:

• More than 1 in 4 women (27%) have experienced domestic abuse since age 16.

• 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year alone.

• At least 113 women in the UK were killed in the past 12 months because of their gender.

• Around 3 women every week die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse.

• 41% of girls aged 14-17 in a relationship have experienced sexual violence from a partner.

• Police receive a domestic-abuse-related call every 30 seconds. And with less than a quarter of incidents reported, these figures only scratch the surface.

Tonight, as part of our Club’s commitment to White Ribbon Day, you will find the us alongside our Club Charity of the Year, Stepping Stones, outside the Kenilworth Road end, offering activities, information, and opportunities for supporters to get involved. You can pick up your White Ribbon, make a pledge, and join us in saying “Enough is enough”.

Before kick-off, there will also a presentation of a cheque for £6,838 by Fan Engagement Officer Lisa McEvoy, who did her recent trek in Cambodia, and coaches Kevin Pilkington and Kevin Foley, who were among 29 staff who walkled, ran or cycled every day in September, in aid of Stepping Stones.

Together, our club, our young people, our partners, and our supporters - we can help create a future where all women and girls feel safe, respected, and valued.

Thank you for standing with us on White Ribbon Day.