SI Weston-super-Mare’s annual event
On a beautiful sunny day, our member Lydia, head to toe in orange, was delighted to join other Clubs at Weston-super-Mare’s Railing against Abuse event to highlight the over two women a week killed by a man they know to mark Nov 25th, the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. About 60 women and men joined the procession, carrying banners and handing out our Relationship bookmarks to the public, ending up at Grove Park to tie 110 orange ribbons to commemorate those women killed in 2020 by a man they knew.
Member Lydia with SI Bath members Diane and Gillian
We had great support from local dignitaries including the Mayor Ciaran Cronnelly, who thanked the WSM Soroptimists for continuing to highlight this issue and organise the event for several years, stating less than 24% of Domestic Abuse is reported to the police and that women make 7 attempts to escape violence. His message to men was, “ this behaviour is not acceptable!” Short speeches were made by John Penrose MP, who also attended last year, Catherine Gibson (N. Somerset Councillor) and Clare Moody, prospective Avon & Somerset PCC.
The dignitaries gathered to give speeches.
Beautiful poems were read out by local poets at the statue created by Soroptimist Anne to commemorate the women.