Women’s Aid and Mothers’ Union come together to end domestic abuse

 

The charity Mothers’ Union has joined together in partnership with Women’s Aid to support the Come Together to End Domestic Abuse campaign, urging everyone to play their part in ending domestic abuse.

An estimated 1.6 million women experience domestic abuse every year. Though that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as many women don’t report abuse due to fear of being judged or not believed. Three women are killed each fortnight by a current or ex-partner, highlighting that so much change is needed before women and children are safe.

Mothers’ Union has partnered with Women’s Aid for this new campaign demonstrating how we can make a difference if we all come together. Mothers’ Union Members are committing to raise awareness, dispel myths and take action to End Domestic Abuse

How to get involved?

Women’s Aid and Mothers’ Union have shared five ways that that we can all help. We are asking members to share photos of hands coming together, just like the campaign logo, and share these using the hashtag #MUEndAbuseTogether and  #EndAbuseTogether The aim is to show – anonymously if safer – how people are coming together to end domestic abuse.

The five suggested ways we can all help include:

1. Make a change where you are – whether it’s your workplace, school or sports club. Is there a domestic abuse policy? Is there a poster in the bathroom or in communal spaces on how to get help? Has anyone had domestic abuse training?
2. Dispel myths about domestic abuse and challenge sexism – it isn’t your fault if you are being abused by your partner and abuse doesn’t happen because the abuser was provoked. Sexist attitudes to women’s and men’s roles must be challenged to end domestic abuse.
3. Take action, your voice counts – join campaigns for better government protection for survivors or fundraise to enable us to make a change. Hold a local event or take part in a challenge.
4. Learn what to say to someone experiencing abuse – understand the reasons why it may not be easy to leave. Information can be found on the Women’s Aid website.
5. Speak up – show we are standing up against domestic abuse together. Send us photos and stories about what you are doing in your local area or online to help stop domestic abuse and support survivors. We want to show positive examples of how we can make a difference to encourage others to join with us.

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid said:

“From my work at Women’s Aid, I know how powerful it can be when we come together to achieve change, which is why I’m so pleased we are partnering with Mothers’ Union to do what we can to help end domestic abuse. Whether it’s through fundraising, campaigning, or dispelling myths, we all have a responsibility to help end domestic abuse, and we can all make a difference. It is up to all of us to help ensure women and children are safe, and I encourage everyone to play their part. By coming together and joining forces, we can make a real difference to the lives of women and children, helping to achieve a world where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.”

Bev Jullien, Mothers’ Union CEO, said:

“I’m very proud that Mothers’ Union are the first national charity to partner with Women’s Aid on the Come Together to End Domestic Abuse campaign. Our 45,000 members across the UK are taking action, sharing information and supporting their communities to end domestic abuse. Together we can end all forms of domestic abuse.”

Notes:

Mothers’ Union is a movement of 4 million Christians in 84 countries worldwide. Founded 144 years ago by Mary Sumner, Mothers’ Union is unique because our members work as volunteers in local communities, putting their faith into action by acts great and small, giving individuals in need a helping hand and engaging communities (of all faiths and none) to have the confidence and skills to transform their lives in a sustainable way. Thanks to donations and subscriptions, members, as volunteers, are transforming communities and the lives of families, women and men, through practical grassroots support, empowerment, and by challenging systems that perpetuate injustice at the local, national and international level.

Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. Since 1974 we have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic abuse, with survivors at the heart of our work. We are a federation of just under 170 organisations which provide just under 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country.

Our support services, which include our Live Chat Helpline, the Survivors’ Forum, the No Woman Turned Away Project, the Survivor’s Handbook, Love Respect (our dedicated website for young people in their first relationships), the national Domestic Abuse Directory and our advocacy projects, help thousands of women and children every year.  We provide expert training, qualifications and consultancy to a range of agencies and professionals working with survivors or commissioning domestic abuse services. Our campaigns achieve change in policy, practice and awareness, encouraging healthy relationships and helping to build a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.

Contact Sarah Button-Stephens, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Mothers’ Union: 0203 1485 211. Sarah.Button-Stephens@mothersunion.org

Contact the Women’s Aid press office at press@womensaid.org.uk or 020 7566 2511