Suffolk's Mothers’ Union is hosting a ‘Big Knicker Night’ to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
The Christian charity is holding an evening of entertainment, speakers, stalls and refreshments at the Salvation Army centre in Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket, on Tuesday June 23. The event includes free entry to anyone who brings and donates a new pair of underwear, all of which will be donated to two Suffolk women’s refuge charity, Lighthouse Women’s Aid and Restore Women’s Aid centre.
Jeanette Appleton, President of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Mothers’ Union, said: “This is about raising awareness of this very important issue that affects thousands of people across the county. We really want to reach people outside of the Mothers’ Union, so we wanted to create a fun evening everyone could be involved in. Research shows one in three women, and one in seven men, suffer domestic abuse. It’s not just violence, it can be coercive control, financial control or emotional control too. It’s something we don’t want to whisper about, we want to shout about it.”
Underwear is often among the least donated items to women’s refuges, and as many people fleeing domestic abuse do so suddenly they often leave with next to nothing with them.
All donations of underwear – women’s, men’s and children’s – must be brand new and in their original packaging. Jeanette thanked the town’s Tesco’s superstore for donating refreshments for the event.
Emma Murley, from Lighthouse Women’s Aid, said: “Lighthouse Women’s Aid is deeply grateful to the Mothers’ Union for their longstanding and faithful support. The generous donations of food items, toiletries, handknitted blankets, gifts, to name a few as well as gift cards make a profound difference to the women, young people and children we support. These items are not just practical necessities; they restore dignity, provide comfort in times of crisis, and help women rebuild a sense of safety and hope. We are equally thankful for the invitations to give talks, which are invaluable in raising awareness of domestic abuse, building understanding, and fostering empathy within the community. We truly could not do this work without your continued compassion and generosity.”
For more information on the event and to book a ticket, click here.