Rise Up against domestic abuse
MU Trustee Anne Bessant urges congregations to sign the pledge against gender-based violence
One in three women have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16. In 2023 Mothers’ Union members pledged to Rise Up against the scourge of domestic abuse to raise awareness, to care for survivors and deliver a practical approach to help prevent gender-based violence.
R Respond to a disclosure of abuse with compassion and calm
I Inform the person where they can get help. Signpost them to help agencies
S Support in a safe manner, listen and believe
E Empower them to grow and heal
U Unite members of M U and Churches to help end Domestic Abuse
P Pray for all who are affected by domestic abuse
At our celebration service for Mary Sumner Day at St. Davids Cathedral in August we held an exhibition of our projects and campaigns
The one relating to domestic abuse was Souls of Our Shoes. Many people were moved by the comments placed in front of each pair of shoes, a powerful realisation of the suffering victims of domestic abuse. Exhibits like this have appeared throughout the Diocese. It is an extension of our initiatives to highlight abuse and the practical support we can offer to families. With prayer, compassion, integrity and raising awareness we can work to combat domestic abuse and gender-based violence.
Another exhibit was the Red Chair project, which involves draping an empty chair in a public place with a red piece of material and a sign highlighting facts about domestic violence. The empty chair serves as a visual symbol to speak out for the women and girls who have lost their lives to violence.
It’s designed to partner with all people from every nation, language and religion to rescue women and girls nationwide. It is on display annually during November and December as part of the MU’s 16 days of Activism. In many places it is on display 365 days of the year.
Globally, a woman or girl dies at the hands of an intimate partner or family member every eleven minutes. We need to stand against this evil and speak for them help us to protect others and ourselves from the control of current - and future - abusers.
Mothers' Union is asking churches to sign the pledge to work with us in raising awareness of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, by displaying bilingual MU posters throughout Britain and Ireland.
For more information please contact annebessant52@gmail.com