This year the Mothers Union in Scotland obtained a lunch-time lot at the Scottish Episcopal Church’s General Synod in which to enact a play written locally to focus on the need of all church members not only to be aware of the invasive extent of domestic abuse.
It also put the message across that churches can work together to support victims & challenge perpetrators.
The play was simple. Three women meet around a table for coffee, voicing increasing concern about the absence of June – their friend who should be in the empty chair. She has confided to one of them that she no longer comes to church because she feels so unworthy, dirty – and is unable to pray. The women note how important it is for her to be listened to, & to know she is believed – though her husband seems such an upright church member. Offstage, a key is heard turning in a lock, symbolising the dread abused women feel when they hear their husband / partner come home. As abuses are noted, seven rainbow silks are tied to June’s empty chair. An offstage voice lists the appalling figures for abuse in Scotland, and the help given on an average day to women and children in Scotland by Women’s Aid.
But there is hope. Members of congregations need to break silence about this issue, recognise and support the victims in their midst. They might even begin to work together, and ecumenically, to expose this. Seven steps are noted; the rainbow silks are untied and laid in hopeful rainbow-shaped fashion on the floor. June’s life can be turned round.
This play made a huge impact on all who attended – many were chilled at the extent of the problem, and the thought that there might well be abusers in their congregation. All signed the petition seeking an end to domestic abuse. They left empowered, with good intentions of breaking the silence.
“This was a simple format, whose impact certainly merited the preparatory time & effort.
The text can be adapted / shortened to suit your context. Try it for yourselves!” comments Elaine Cameron.
For a copy of the script, please send an email to news@aco.org