Our statement regarding Conservative NCC Councillor’s comments.

Yesterday, the Chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee publically stated that the police only prioritise domestic violence because it is “politically correct” and “fashionable”. We at the Women’s Quilt team are well aware of the damage that trivialising domestic violence in this way can do, and are, as such, disgusted and appalled by these comments. We know it is vital to prioritise domestic violence to protect the thousands of women harmed by partners and the two women a week killed by Male violence.
We call upon the individual in question to retract their comments and make a donation to a women’s refuge to show they understand the danger that the attitude their comments express places vulnerable women and children in.
Further, we call upon Nottinghamshire Conservative Party, the UK Conservative party and the Conservative Party leadership to make it unequivocally clear that they condemn these remarks and will act upon them.
It is when this vital issue is downplayed that more women’s lives are put at risk. We refuse to allow that and we hope that the Conservative Party will not allow it either.

~ The Women’s Quilt team

We at the Women’s Quilt team are well aware of the damage that trivialising domestic violence in this way can do and are as such disgusted and appalled by these comments.

— The Women’s Quilt (@thewomensquilt) July 19, 2018 

We call upon the individual in question to retract the comments and make a donation to a women’s refuge to show they understand the danger in which the attitude their comments express places vulnerable women and children.

— The Women’s Quilt (@thewomensquilt) July 19, 2018

It is when this vital issue is downplayed that more women’s lives are put at risk. We refuse to allow that and we hope that the Conservative Party will not either.

— The Women’s Quilt (@thewomensquilt) July 19, 2018

Please like and retweet our statement to show your support.

I wanted to be involved with the woman’s quilt. My heart went out to all the tragic victims but I also felt so lucky to have my daughter still alive. 

She was in an abusive relationship and she didn’t say anything because she felt she was a failure. He was so clever, not many realised what was going on. I kept asking if she was ok, but it was when my granddaughter said “my daddy make my mummy cry” after one very violent episode that she called the police and, thank goodness, they took her seriously. We are two years on and my daughter is very slowly gaining her confidence, there’s a long way to go but she is alive. 

My 4 quilt blocks are white and pink with small hearts in the centres. They are very orderly. She kept saying she never knew what was going to happen each day. 

Well done to everyone who was involved in this project and opening people’s eyes to how many have and will continue to suffer.

 

Submitted Anonymously.

For Lorraine Williams

I first came across the quilt project on Facebook, my friend Maria Barrett suggested it to me – she knows I enjoy embroidery.  I got in touch and, even though I live in New Zealand, I was warmly welcomed on to the project.  I looked down the list of available names and there was ‘Lorraine Williams’ which is my maiden name, so that was the connection for me.  She died on April 3, 2009, at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.  She was stabbed by her husband who was said to be a violent ex-soldier with a history of domestic violence. He was jailed for life and will serve at least 15 years. The murder took place at their home in Abercwmboi, Rhondda Cynon Taff. He attacked her with a carving knife causing three lesions to her throat. A neighbour heard her screaming.  She got as far as the front door but he dragged her back and didn’t summon help. It’s heartbreaking, she must have been terrified.  In court, he claimed she had jumped on to the knife and it was an accident.

The Judge said that despite pleas from her friends and family, Lorraine had tried to cover up the long-term abuse out of love and loyalty and a mistaken sense of responsibility.

I could only find one picture of Lorraine but she was laughing and looked like a fun person to know.  I didn’t have much time for my square given the postal delay, so I chose a lovely piece of fabric that spoke for itself – bright blue and black, with new Zealand motifs.  I felt that connected me to her.  I wrote her name in simple stitching, in black for mourning, but with a bit of gold for the life that she was.  I also added a line of sequins.  I don’t know why, but I felt she might have liked a bit of bling.

Submitted by Lorraine WarrenLorraine Warren