Broken Rites
@brokenrites.bsky.social
Divorced/separated ex spouses/partners of clergy, supporting each other & calling for better support of ministers' families, before, during & after breakdown. UK based, international & interdenominational. Est. 1983 brokenrites.org
Jane is one of our heroes. 'When you come to the church, having been hurt by the church, you should be believed & met with compassion...' Too often we've been treated as a threat, & the ranks close against us. Times are changing withhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DbNQWyCxlSA/?igsh=Y20wdXdlNWtycnA4
bbcwomanshour on Instagram: "‘I shouldn’t have to feel ashamed of what happened to me’In an exclusive interview on Woman’s Hour, Jane Chevous shared her experie…"
‘I shouldn’t have to feel ashamed of what happened to me’In an exclusive interview on Woman’s Hour, Jane Chevous shared her experience of reporting alleged abuse within the Church of England, and the impact she says it’s had on her life.In 2023, the Church of England appointed an Interim Commissioner for Independent Reviews to investigate cases of historic sexual abuse. The Commissioner’s first report has been published, focusing on Jane’s case and how her allegations were handled by the Church.Jane alleges that she experienced rape, as well as spiritual and psychological abuse, by two clergymen. She waived her right to anonymity to speak to us.Jane joined @itsanitarani alongside the BBC’s Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool, to share her experience and what she thinks needs to change to better support survivors.A spokesperson from the Church of England said: “We would like to pay tribute to Jane for the courage, determination and perseverance she has shown in engaging with this review. We are deeply sorry for the abuse she reported, and for the profound impact it has had on her life. We are also sorry that her experience of Church safeguarding left her feeling unsupported and further traumatised.“The National Safeguarding Team has undergone significant transformation in recent years and is now a professional national function, focused on improving safeguarding practice across the Church of England. We are aware that our approach now is different to when the NST started, but we are committed to learning from this review.”You can listen to the full interview on @bbcsounds - it’s the Woman’s Hour episode from 24 July 📻 If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed in this post, you can find more information and support on the BBC Action Line website....#bbcwomanshour #abuse #womenView all comments
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What would you do if your daughter’s partner was pressuring her to hand over money? By recognising economic abuse, we can stop abusers in their tracks. Take our Spotting the Signs Challenge today: https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/spotting-the-signs-challenge/ #EconomicAbuse
What fresh hell is this: www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-... Tbf it's on a par with asking people who've overturned their conviction to pay for their accommodation in prison, but that really doesn't make it ok. Does the government not understand what tax is for??
UK asylum seekers face £10,000 charge before they can apply to settle
Asylum seekers in Britain could have to repay the state around £10,000 ($13,222) for accommodation and basic living support before becoming eligible to apply for settlement, the government said on Mo...
reuters.com
In great systemic failure, many Christian systems have not only covered up for abusers, leaving many free to continue to abuse, but also we have presented them as good, even godly, and kept them in high places.
In England, a study from the National Centre for Domestic Abuse has shown that domestic abuse incidents rise by around 11% following national team matches - and when England lose a match, they rise by 38%. [CRIMESTOPPERS]. For info with support: crimestoppers-uk.org/news-media/n...
Reading this and finding it very relatable and revealing. If you too were one of the History Maker generation she describes and want your teenage self personally attacked by Lucy Sixsmith in the best, gentlest and most healthy way, I’d recommend.
Shelly Dennison@dennisonshelly.bsky.social · 4mo agoPublication day post. Going to be an important read this one I think. @lucysixsmith.bsky.social @scmpress.bsky.social
Delighted to see @andrewgraystone.bsky.social 's work recognised with a well-deserved #bafta 🙌🙌🙌 Should be compulsory viewing for anyone working in church leadership #CofE ✝️ See No Evil - Series 1: Episode 1 | Channel 4 share.google/fwpHtivO854m...
See No Evil - Episode 1
It's the 1980s. In Winchester, Smyth launches his covert and brutal regime of abuse.
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Our 43rd Annual General Meeting today. Best speakers ever (no offence to previous, but they were all Broken Rites members & all thoroughly inspiring on the subject "This is me, now!") We are growing in numbers 🤔 but also in confidence. Who do you need to tell about us?
Innovative Tech Solutions #453 Broke the phone holder, so today's Broken Rites AGM will be depending on that great invention The Rubber Band
Rates of #DomesticAbuse in church are similar to those in the general population. Ditto #clergy marriage breakdown
@churchtimes.bsky.social · 4mo ago"If we want to resolve the problem of violence against women, we have to tackle the aspects of our doctrine which are misappropriated by abusers. We have to teach — overtly — better theology," writes Sally Hope
Why are we shocked to learn of James Orr's HTB connections? Miserable
Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺@katherineschof8.bsky.social · 4mo agoThis is the culture I grew up in and was, increasingly peripherally, part of until I left my first marriage* It is HORRIFICALLY abusive to women and girls. And it’s increasingly what Reform is preaching for the UK via ideologues like James Orr. #exvangelicals www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Appalling. Our hearts go out to those affected. When we had to leave our family homes, many of us were expected to be grateful for 6 months here & 6 months there in empty #Vicarages. Temporary housing is so stressful, esp for young traumatised families. Temporary status all the more so. Dreadful.
Migrant Voice@migrantvoice.bsky.social · 6mo agoWe are disgusted by the latest cruel and inhumane anti-asylum policy announced by the Home Secretary. Limiting refugees to 30 months before needing to re-apply undermines their ability to rebuild their lives, to feel safe and secure, all while increasing Home Office bureaucracy and costs.
This is shocking. Cost of living crisis laid bare as almost half of Britons ‘have under £25 left at end of week’ Majority of UK adults forced to make difficult choices, with almost two-thirds found to be cutting back on essentials like food and heating www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Cost of living crisis laid bare as almost half of Britons ‘have £25 at end of week’
Exclusive: Majority of UK adults forced to make difficult choices, with almost two-thirds found to be cutting back on essentials like food and heating
independent.co.uk
This is the biggest issue for those of us whose family homes were #TiedAccommodation. If you're not the office-holder, you have zero rights. You might think a moral duty would be recognised in the case of a #Vicarage or #Manse.. Sadly not
National Women’s Council @nwc.bsky.social · 7mo ago📢 Today we are calling for laws to allow women and children in abusive situations to remain safely in the family home, and for perpetrators to be removed instead 📲 Share this post to help us make government sit up and take decisive action now More: www.nwci.ie/learn/articl...
Up 16 places in this month’s Official Folk Albums Chart is the album “Troubled Horses” from @martynjosephwales.bsky.social. It features heartfelt and moving songs like this. ▶️ Watch the full Chart Show here: youtu.be/UxtdKN4OOxk
This tragic incident highlights the completely exploitative underpinnings of our dependency on digital devices, and the limits of any talk in the global north of 'digital ethics', 'tech ethics' etc. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in eastern DRC, officials say
Rubaya mine produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, which is processed into tantalum, used in mobile phones
theguardian.com
Maybe there is a way to hide the fact that you're desperately looking for work as an old woman, who in other times & places would be retired, & who's far too scary for a 20-something boss to appoint? #jobseekers #AI #WhatsThePoint?
Andrew Cherry@kolektiv.xyncro.com · 7mo agoI think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
Working-class candidates continue to experience a “cultural loss” of identity when exploring a vocation to the priesthood, as well as both academic and financial barriers to training, a paper due to be debated by the #GeneralSynod next month says #class
Report outlines barriers to training for working-class ordinands ahead of Synod debate
Perception remains that all clergy are middle class
churchtimes.co.uk
Churches say divorce is about “falling out of love.” Data says otherwise. Infidelity is one of the top reasons people divorce. Women file more often due to: immaturity, porn use, physical/emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and substance abuse. (2014 Relationships in America Survey)
🚨 Last chance to register! Tomorrow, we'll be hosting a webinar to mark the launch of our UK Poverty 2026 report. A panel of frontline practitioners and our analysts will discuss the findings and opportunities for action. Not to be missed! Sign up now: https://bit.ly/459R16V
Survival skills in times of fascism from a therapist /
A painful read. In contrast, "spiritual leaders" tell us "children are very resilient", when they tell us to vacate the family home following the breaking of vows by our spouses. And we are supposed to pretend not to be alienated?
I was warned my children would be ripped in half when we divorced. But I had no idea just how brutal custody cases can be
My experience of court was eye-opening. And when I sat in on other cases, I realised how often mothers are vilified
theguardian.com
"....the need for particular care and attention by trustees & charity leaders in handling allegations related to individuals in positions of power or influence, including spiritual influence. Trustees should be aware of the risks of individuals abusing positions of trust" www.gov.uk/government/n...
Regulator issues Official Warnings to two Church of England Dioceses
The Charity Commission has taken regulatory action against The Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance and The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance.
gov.uk
Christmas peace to you all, especially those of you doing your best to rise to the challenge of enjoying your own company this year. May you find joy in unexpected places! "Rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing"🕯️