The issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is urgent and far too prevalent in the UK. Our news feeds have been filled by stories such as the fallout of the Epstein files and the grooming gangs. The statistics are awful, and it can be hard to know how we can respond and what we can do as Christians.
Zanna Meynell, David Smyth, Rani Joshi and Damilola Makinde sit down for an honest and nuanced conversation about VAWG, the government’s new strategy to reduce it and what we can be doing in our churches. They cover what we can do about both our young girls and boys, the nuances involved in people’s experiences coming from different cultures and backgrounds, and how our churches can be safer, more welcoming places for survivors.
Check out the work of Restored – an Evangelical Alliance member organisation working to make churches safer for women who have experienced domestic violence.
Read our articles about the government’s strategy.
Further reading:
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction and defining VAWG
2:08 The state of VAWG in the UK
8:52 What the Bible says about violence against women
19:42 Government strategy to halve VAWG in a decade
25:27 Discipling young people in the church
34:51 Creating safe spaces for survivors
37:43 Cultural nuances and the gospel
41:05 Navigating cultural blind spots
43:58 A message to men: help and heal
45:47 Closing
How your church can become a safer space for survivors of violence against women and girls
Domestic abuse needs to be addressed by the church; Christian charity Restored helps us do so
