In support of White Ribbon UK, a charity which aims to end male violence against women, a number of locations in the North East will be hosting ‘White Ribbon Sunday’ services this November honouring and remembering all victims of domestic abuse.
The locations hosting events include Durham Cathedral and Sunderland Minister. White Ribbon Sunday is on 21 November although churches and cathedrals across the country are hosting services throughout the month.
Durham Cathedral – 7 November 2021, 3.30pm
To mark White Ribbon Sunday, a service of Evensong to remember the victims of domestic homicide, and honour all victims of domestic abuse, will take place at Durham Cathedral.
The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell will be attending the service as a guest speaker, alongside the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler. There will be a Question and Answer session afterwards with Frank Mullane MBE and Dr Stephen Burrell.
The Archbishop of York said: “To mark White Ribbon Sunday in Durham Cathedral will be a moving experience. We have an opportunity to acknowledge all who have died as a result of domestic abuse, and all those who find themselves trapped in abusive relationships.
“More needs to be done to highlight the extent of abuse that occurs daily in our nation. In this service we stand alongside those who have suffered, we pray, we reflect and we remember.”
The event is in collaboration with the AAFDA, who advocate for the families of those lost to domestic abuse.
To learn more about the event, please contact connect@whiteribbonsunday.org
Sunderland Minster – 21 November 2021, 3.45pm
To mark White Ribbon Sunday, a service to remember the victims of domestic homicide, and honour all victims of domestic abuse, will take place at Sunderland Minster
The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler will be speaking at the service, alongside Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.
Bishop Paul said: “On this day, we come together to demand that domestic abuse has no place in our society. We should all feel safe from harm, but so often there are those who find themselves trapped in violent and abusive relationships, and feel powerless to seek help.
“Only by speaking out can we highlight how much this happens in homes right across our region every day. We pray for all those who have lost their lives to domestic abuse, those who have survived it, and those currently suffering domestic abuse who do not feel strong enough to see a way out.
Kim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Violence against women and girls is a men’s issue. Women are not the problem and White Ribbon Day makes this clear.
“Male culture needs a complete re-think because there are far too many behaviours that aren’t acceptable and far too many times they go unchallenged.
“We all must fight for change because we owe it to everyone who has suffered abuse because of their gender.”
The event is in collaboration with the Connect Network in Sunderland.
To learn more about the event, please contact the Revd Jacqui Tyson at Sunderland Minster at revjacquityson@sunderlandminster.org or connect@whiteribbonsunday.org
There are also events happening within the Newcastle Diocese this month, including Hexham Abbey and St Andrew’s. You can learn more here.