One Billion Rising comes to Harrogate

7 February 2016

At 1pm on Sunday 14 February, there will be a peaceful demonstration at the Cenotaph in the centre of Harrogate in support of the One Billion Rising movement. One Billion Rising is a global movement to end rape and sexual violence against women.

The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, or about one billion.

The demonstration, which all are welcome to attend, will consist of a number of Harrogate Quakers in collaboration with Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS).

The Harrogate demonstration forms part of a global ‘rising’ in protest at this abuse, with events taking place across the UK and the rest of the world on this day.

In 2015, more than 200 countries participated. In Italy, more than 100 cities had events and all 34 provinces of Afghanistan had events.

Gilly Charters, of Harrogate Quaker Meeting, said:

Quakers believe in the principles of peace, justice, equality and community, among other things. As such, a number of Harrogate Quakers will be supporting One Billion Rising, whose aims align exactly with ours on the issue of violence and abuse.

 

Carmel Maria Offord, of IDAS, said:

The aim of the demonstration is to draw attention to the often hidden issue of abuse, violence and rape which so many women suffer, in Harrogate as in other parts of the UK and the world, and to show support for victims of such abuse. We also hope to raise awareness of our services in York and across North Yorkshire.

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