On Saturday 23rd November, Savera UK “marched” on Liverpool’s waterfront into the Museum of Liverpool, to raise awareness of HBA and harmful practices in the region, alongside partners including Zonta UK and Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Originally planned to take place in the city centre, Storm Bert saw the event relocated to an indoor venue, with the Museum of Liverpool – a designated “Museum of Sanctuary” – kindly opening its doors to host the event at very short notice due to the poor weather.
HBA and Harmful Practices Happen Here
The event intended to raise awareness and generate greater understanding around ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices including forced marriage, conversion ‘therapy’ and virginity testing among the general public.
Many believe that such practices do not happen here in the UK, or that they are rare and limited to particular areas and communities. Savera UK’s own data, however, suggests that this is not the case and that HBA and harmful practices do happen here.
Recent data published by the Home Office showed an 8 percent decrease in ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA)-related offences reported by police. In the same year Savera UK has seen a 36 per cent increase in HBA referrals into its service, highlighting problems around understanding and recognition of these issues, reporting and recording of HBA-related offences and incidents and the ‘hidden’ nature of these practices.
Breaking the Silence
The theme of the event was ‘break the silence’ and a short break in the heavy rain allowed Katumba Movement & Drumming to do just that, performing a loud, powerful and unifying march, with representatives from Savera UK, Savera UK Youth Collective and Zonta UK, and Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell leading with banners and placards.
Supporters attending the event, including volunteers from GoodGym Liverpool and the East African Society from the University of Liverpool joined the march, carrying placards and some signs created by Savera UK’s clients. They and unsuspecting passers-by visiting the museum were welcomed into the venue’s atrium by Wavertree Community Gospel Choir singing a moving rendition of Something Inside So Strong.
The event was opened by Savera UK Chair, Aislinn O’Dwyer, who welcomed guests and introduced the charity’s work. She also highlighted that the event was being held ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and abuse, also known as the UN “Orange the World” campaign.
Although Savera UK supports people of all genders, the majority of its clients are women. During the 16 Days of Activism it seeks to shine a light on the issues of HBA and harmful practices and the importance of understanding how to recognise them, call them out and how professional responses need to differ from more general forms of domestic violence and abuse.
Matt Exley, Participation Producer at National Museums Liverpool, then welcomed Savera UK to the museum and highlighted the museum’s honour and duty to provide a platform for important issues and the voices of the people who live and work in the city.
Be the voice
In an emotional speech about the importance of the event, Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “Let us be the voice for those who are not able to speak for themselves or who live in places where freedom is not a choice.
“Let us remember and stand for those who have been killed or murdered, fighting for their rights, for choice, resistance and freedom. Let us together break the silence and not be afraid to challenge abusive behaviour no matter who the perpetrators are or what status they hold, because abuse has no excuse and can not be justified.”
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, spoke passionately about her work with Savera UK and her wider work tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the region. Ahead of the event she had also reflected on the latest HBA statistics and said: “It is critical that survivors and those at risk of HBA and harmful practices get the right support and care when they do seek help. I’m proud to have worked with Savera UK since taking office to provide that life-changing help for those who are at risk or have been subjected to or affected by harmful practices.
“The most recent statistics show there is still a long way to go in raising awareness of ‘honour’-based abuse and ensuring every survivor or person at risk has the confidence to report an incident. While we have seen significant increases in reports in recent years, it is disappointing this has not continued over the past year. It means more people are suffering in silence.
“These figures show how vital it is that we continue to invest in education, particularly among our young people, if we are to tackle these issues and empower people to speak out.”
Solidarity and support
Kim Johnson MP, who was due to speak at the event but was unable to attend because of illness sent a message of solidarity and support. The speeches were then rounded off by Dianne Jeans, Area Director for Zonta UK, which is part of an international organisation which works with the UN globally to address all forms of violence against women.
Dianne said: “Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. In many societies it is an unfortunate daily experience for women and girls.
“In the UK it is being called a national emergency. Violence is happening at all levels, in all areas of our society. The time for all of us to act – men and women together is now.”
Powerful survivor testimonies
Aislinn then invited Macy, Phoebe and Merfat from Savera UK’s team to read the real stories of three of Savera UK’s clients and how they found their ‘savera’ or ‘new beginning’ through the organisation. You can watch a video of one, Samia’s story, here.
The powerful survivor testimonies had a profound effect on those listening, as they learned about the realities of HBA, forced marriage and FGM and the strength and help that is needed to flee abusive environments.
After the survivor stories, Savera UK Youth Collective Board member, Anushka, read Invisible Victims which she wrote as part of the youth’s campaigning and education work. You can watch Anushka’s reading here.
The poem was followed by a two minute silence in memory of all those lost to ‘honour’ based abuse and harmful practices, including some of those who were represented on placards carried by attendees, whose stories can be read here.
Wavertree Community Gospel Choir then broke the silence once again, performing joyful and uplifting versions of Put a Little Love in Your Heart and Shackles, getting the audience dancing and singing along, in a show of unity and a reminder that culture is beautiful and no excuse for abuse.
Extending the reach
Awareness-raising continued with the Liverpool Echo, Greatest Hits Radio (Liverpool) and BBC North West Tonight covering the event and extending the reach of its message even further.
On Monday 25th November, Savera UK hosted a stall at Merseyside PCC’s information event at Lime Street Station, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. Alongside other services in Liverpool, including RASA, SARAC (Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre), the Police Prevention Team, and Soroptimist International Liverpool, Savera UK distributed information on the charity and the issues that it works to end.
Later that evening, Savera UK and the Savera UK Youth Collective also attended the Vigil for Liverpool’s Lost Women, an event focused on remembering those women from the city region lost to male violence.
Malcolm, Hannah and Laura read A New Dawn by Daisy Serem-Esinapwaka while members of the team held placards reading “End FGM”, “End Forced Marriage”, ”End Child Marriage” and “End Human Rights Violations” to cement the important message.
Our work to raise awareness will continue throughout the 16 Days of Activism, which run until 10th December, including a takeover of Merseyside PCC’s social channels on Saturday 30th November. Stay tuned to our socials @SaveraUK and sign up to our newsletter here for news, updates and future events and initiatives.
Photos and video by Kristian Lawrence
