Above, we publish a statement by Nahamu.
And we add in solidarity:
As an organisation that supports women who challenge sexual abuse in Black and minoritised communities, Project Resist recognises the immense difficulties and barriers they face in reporting sexual abuse. In contexts where cultural and religious norms blame and shame women and girls for the abuse, significant bravery and resolve for survivors to disclose their experiences and to hold their abusers to account. Taking action against abusers in positions of religious and political power is particularly daunting, as it carries a high risk of ostracisation and other forms of social punishment.
In 2019, our director, Pragna Patel, gave evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuses (ICSA) in religious settings, led by Prof Alexis Jay. She cited numerous examples of sexual abuse against women and children committed by religious leaders from Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths, highlighting the entrenched culture of institutional complicity within minoritised communities that shields perpetrators from criminal liability and religion from public scrutiny.
Since the inquiry, very little progress has been made to hold minoritised religious leaders to account. This is largely because the state’s faith-based framework for engagement emboldens these so-called leaders to preside over structures that enact, reproduce and ultimately sanction sexual abuse and violence against women and girls. We stand in solidarity with Jewish women and all women from minoritised backgrounds who are compelled not only to confront their abusers but also their communities, for creating a climate of lethal impunity enjoyed by those who hold religious power from within.
Justice shall prevail.