This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 6 December 2017. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The Bishops of Oxford, Reading, Dorchester and Buckingham wear their white ribbons In the UK between a quarter and half of all women experience domestic violence. More than 60 bishops around the country will wear a white ribbon this Monday to support the campaign dedicated to stamping out gender-based violence.
Many will be visiting local projects and taking to twitter to raise awareness. Those bishops include The Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Revd Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham and the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, the Bishop of Reading. The Bishop of Aston, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, chair of the Panel for World Mission and the Anglican Communion, said he was delighted that so many bishops had taken up the challenge. In a Church of England interview Bishop Andrew speaks about the White Ribbon Campaign and explains how he had been approached by colleagues from the worldwide Anglican Communion who are concerned about gender violence. To mark the day Bishop Andrew will visit the Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid, meeting and talking with victims of abuse and those who support them.
He also spoke this weekend at a celebration event for the charity Asha, which for 25 years has been empowering women to make a difference to their lives and communities in the slums of Delhi. The White Ribbon campaign, originally started by a group of men, is being supported by a number of Christian organisations in this field.
The Mothers' Union has produced an action pack (downloadable from their website) and the organisation 'Restored' has developed its 'First Man Standing' campaign. Canon Janice Price, World Mission Adviser for Archbishops' Council, said it was vital to be standing in solidarity with the rest of the Anglican Communion on an issue which affects women in every culture. A spokesman for the White Ribbon Campaign said: "Silence is not an option.
Silence excuses violence against women.
WRC needs men to swear the pledge, wear the ribbon and share the issues by becoming an ambassador and speaking out.
To have senior church leaders speaking out is a wonderful start in ending abuse. "Twitter @menantiviolenceMothers' Union resourcesFirst Man Standing Campaign http://www. restoredrelationships. org/firstmanstanding/pledge/Asha charity - http://www. asha-india. org/ ;