Yesterday, Monday, was ‘White Ribbon Day’, a day linked to the 16 days of activism against gender violence. White Ribbon’s focus is on addressing violence by men against women and girls.
As a White Ribbon Ambassador, I have committed myself ‘never to use, excuse, or remain silent about men’s violence against women’. You can read more of why this is important to me in an article I have written in this week’s Church Times here.
As you will see in my article, I feel passionately about the need for this work, set in the context of my wider commitment to promoting safeguarding in the Church. Yet speaking is not easy, nor should it be. In the light of the evidence set out in the Makin report about which Bishop Rachel and I wrote last week, words, my words, seem inadequate. It is perhaps right to be hesitant for fear of self-justification, of not putting victims and survivors first. It might just be understandable to be cautious for fear that no words can adequately encompass a response to the evil of abuse. It can though, never be right to hide from the truth for the sake of an institution (especially one that needs to change) or indeed to protect those who would abuse.
My firm conclusion is that in the words of Ecclesiastes 3, this is ‘a time to speak’. To speak gently but clearly, not to look for easy solutions, not to shirk the responsibility that is mine but to bear it and in doing so to seek to bring about a change in the culture of the Church. This change in culture must be rooted in repentance for past and current failings in the Church’s leadership. This week that charge leads me to speak out about violence against women and girls, in our culture of masculinity. It leads me to take the responsibility that is mine and encourage a culture in which together we take the responsibility that is ours.
Bishop Rachel and I are deeply thankful for the work of safeguarding in our own diocesan team led by Brett Riches and for the commitment of so many, not least clergy and Parish Safeguarding Officers in communities across our diocese who dedicate their time and energy to building a healthy culture of local safeguarding.
My prayer is that these 16 days of activism might inspire each of us to play our part. For me that is in wearing the white ribbon and speaking of the change that I want to see in the attitudes of men and boys to women and girls. I hope many will join with me in that. For each of us it is about playing our part in demanding the change of culture we seek in our Church and our wider society.
It is hard to speak, certainly hard to speak wisely and well, but speak we must, for this is not a time to keep silent.
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Bishop Robert thank you.
A photo accompanying this of you wearing said white ribbon would have been more impactful, Bp Robert!