So many women suffer in silence. We’re speaking out
Domestic abuse voices on stage
DONNA Air, Annie Lennox and Sadie Frost are backing a one-off play to highlight domestic abuse.
Punched showcases powerful stories of survivors from around the globe.
Actress Sadie said: “It is crucial to raise awareness regarding the rising levels of domestic abuse.”
The show features actresses including former EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman and ex-Casualty actor Priyanga Burford.
Eurythmics star Annie said one in three women face physical or sexual vioence in their lifetime, according to World Health Organisation figures.
The singer added: “For every three months of Covid lockdown, 15million more women worldwide were exposed to domestic violence. It is endemic and a living reality for millions.
“Assault, violence and violation is taking place in a country, city, town, village – a school, college, office, street, house, apartment, or a room near you.”
Annie, who founded global feminist network The Circle, will film a personal address to be shown at the performance at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End.
Actors Lorien Haynes and Donna Air are producers of the charity show on December 6. Lorien pointed out that in the past 18 months alone the UK had gone through the murders of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa and sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry. She added: “These issues can no longer be sidelined. “It’s up to us to stand up and tell our stories, to support each other and to say enough is enough.” Priyanga Burford, said fewer than 40% of abused women seek help. She said: “That’s a lot of women keeping an enormous amount of pain in silence.” Profits from the evening will go to The Circle, Refuge and Southall Black Sisters. Punched is part of the United Nations’ 16 Days to End Global Violence Against Women event.
It is a living reality for millions of women
ANNIE LENNOX ON THE PLIGHT OF THE ABUSED