Ripon Cathedral is hosting an exhibition of art created by prisoners at HMP Hull on the theme of ‘Leave Her Alone’, supported by the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, and the Mothers’ Union in the diocese.
The exhibition of art launched on Tuesday, November 25, and was created in partnership with White Ribbon UK, a global movement that invites individuals and organisations, in particular men and boys, to be part of the change that challenges harmful attitudes and behaviours towards girls and women that can escalate through culture to physical and emotional violence.
‘Leave Her Alone is a creative art project run by HMP Hull three years ago as part of the then High Sheriff of East Riding’s year’s focus on raising awareness about violence against women and girls and encouraging us all to speak out against it.
The theme comes from the words of Jesus, who told the disciples to leave the woman who anointed his feet alone a few days before the crucifixion.
After hearing these words preached, prison officers from HMP Hull were moved to use art and education to work with men in the prison, where 92% are serving domestic abuse related sentences or have domestic abuse markers on their files.
As a result, six impressive art works were created, with the process being as important as the end result, helping the men to open up and speak of their shame and the impact their actions had had.
So far, none of the small group of men who were involved who have all now left prison have re-offended and returned.
The event welcomed representatives from a variety of organisations including the more locally based New Beginnings Peer Support, North Yorkshire Police, Soroptimists, Mothers’ Union representatives and Inner Wheel.
Other attendees included Jo Ropner, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, and Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred, this year’s High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, whose chosen focus is rehabilitation of ex-offenders.
Bishop Anna said: “I applaud the White Ribbon approach.
“Only by men and women working together to call out and tackle violence against girls and women, starting with small steps of calling out, for example, sexist remarks or gender-oriented jokes, will we begin to see our culture change.
“I hope those who attend the exhibition will all wear a white ribbon during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence we have now begun, and in so doing will not only pledge their intent to speak out for change, but also welcome conversations from those who are curious to know more.
“This exhibition is very powerful.
“It is presented on holy ground.
“We hope it will create a space for healing, help, support, prayer and challenge, that together we may see people and communities move to greater harmony between genders and greater safety and hope where there is fear.”
The exhibition runs at Ripon Cathedral for the global 16 Days of Activism against gender violence.
It began on Tuesday, November 25, White Ribbon Day, and ends on Human Rights Day on Wednesday, December 10.
More information on it can be found here.