Silent March through Canterbury
Saturday morning, November 25th brought a large group of people carrying posters and banners protesting against violence against women and girls.
Yes, we all see it on the news, yet another woman killed by a stalker or ex-boyfriend. But we may not know the true figures.
One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales and 8% will suffer domestic violence each
year. On average, two women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. The number of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by police in England and Wales increased by 6% in the year ending March 2021 to 845,734. A total of 1,459,663 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes were recorded by police in the year to March 2021. In 73% of cases, the victim of domestic abuse-related crimes was female. Domestic abuse is acutely underreported. Crime survey data for the year ending March 2018 suggest that only 18% of women who had experienced abuse from a partner in the 12-month period reported the abuse to the police.
That is why, each year, Soroptimist International Canterbury reminds the public that violence against women and girls, at home or elsewhere, the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation worldwide, a global pandemic, cannot be accepted. Those marching silently remember the ones who have lost their lives and are no longer with us. They march to remind us all.
Organisations in attendance:
Canterbury & Whitstable Labour Women
Herne Bay and Sandwich Labour Party
Rising Sun
Maya’s Community Support Centre
Soroptimist International Folkestone
Soroptimist International Whitstable & District
