Domestic Abuse Exhibition Starts Church Tour at Cathedral this Advent

Sixteen stories of domestic abuse victims’ experiences are being curated in an exhibition which will tour the Diocese of Llandaff for the Mothers’ Union campaign. The Llandaff Mothers’ Union has partnered with Restored and LiveFearFree to create awareness and a call to action against gender-based violence in churches around Wales.

The ‘Behind Closed Doors’ exhibition covers examples of different types of abuse including physical, psychological, financial, technological, and spiritual. Both female and male experiences from varying communities are represented in the voices of the survivors.

Each story is represented by a miniature door by which people can read or listen via a QR code to the account in English or Welsh. The case studies are followed by a short reflection and prayer written by Llandaff Diocesan Mothers’ Union Chaplain Sandra Birdsall.

President of Llandaff Mothers’ Union Sue Rivers and lead of the project said, “Mothers’ Union is committed to creating positive change to prevent domestic abuse and support survivors. We have developed this exhibition to address the lack of awareness of the different types of domestic abuse, including spiritual abuse, and to support those experiencing problems in their relationships by signposting the help available. Case studies of survivor stories are distressing but provide hope, that it is possible to be free of the abuser with prayer and support.”

Sue has also been working with the Church in Wales Safeguarding Team to develop Domestic Abuse Guidance that sits within the Church in Wales Safeguarding Policy, Restored, a Christian charity involved in raising awareness of domestic abuse and Welsh Women’s Aid.

Churches can apply to be a host of the exhibition via https://llandaff. churchinwales.org.uk/domestic-abuse

On Friday 24th November, Llandaff Cathedral will be leading a service for White Ribbon Day to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This begins 16 www.mothersunion.org/resources/16days-of-activism

Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international movement supported by the Anglican Church, Mothers’ Union, UN Women and UK Parliament (and many more) that annually runs from 25th November to 10th December.

www.mothersunion.org/resources/16days-of-activism

During the 16 Days, the Behind Closed Doors exhibition will be on display in these locations:

Thursday 23rd November – Wednesday 29th November – Llandaff Cathedral

Thursday 30th November – Wednesday 6th December – St David’s Church, Neath

Thursday 7th December – Sunday 10th December – Eglwys Dewi Sant, Cardiff