Members of the Soroptimist Club of Stafford and their supporters, men and women, held a silent vigil by St Mary’s Church in Stafford on Easter Saturday to show their concern for women and girls who are the victims of abuse and violence. Joint Presidents Maudie McHardy and Gill Green said ‘Like so many others, we are horrified by the level of violence and abuse experienced by so many women and girls. We wanted to add Stafford’s voice to the uprising of horror being expressed all over the country. We ask the Government and leaders in all criminal justice agencies to act swiftly to ensure the criminal justice system is fit for purpose where women’s issues are concerned, whether the offence is rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, or online abuse as well as sentencing.’
Councillor Jeremy Pert said ‘We don’t want to criminalise low level abusive behaviour, but it is the responsibility of all of us, parents, educators, or just concerned citizens, to make it clear that certain types of behaviour are hurtful and unacceptable’.
Stafford’s previous MP, Jeremy Lefroy, also lends his support to the Soroptimist’s campaign. He said ‘Unless men are active allies in countering violence and abuse against women we can never bring them to an end’.
The Club has been active in its support of Staffordshire Women’s Aid and other domestic abuse charities, women prisoners, and young parents. They invite other women interested in these issues to join them. www.sigbi.or.uk/stafford https://www.facebook.com/Soroptimist-Stafford-314306666072608/