It's a sobering thought, to think of increasing numbers of children and young people being brought up in institutions, instead of with someone who loves them ☹️

This Economic Abuse Awareness Day, we’re asking you to take our Spotting the Signs Challenge. Because too often it’s not just an argument. It’s a red flag. And, once you know the signs of economic abuse, they can be easy to spot. Learn more: ow.ly/ZhYQ50Xy5H5

What a brilliant initiative. We are so aware of the devastating impact on children of housing insecurity. 🙌

Bit of good news...

✝️⚓#CofEpeeps @ctbi.bsky.social

"...the church does not treat allegations of abuse from an adult not assessed to be "vulnerable" as a safeguarding allegation..." 🙌🙌🙌 The Charity Commission's observations about the #CofE will apply to other #church denominations too

Almost 100% of children in 73 neighbourhoods in England are living in income-deprived families. Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering. No govt targets to cut poverty. 1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.

Massive thanks to @clergysupport.bsky.social, who help many of us to stay half-sane after we & our children are evicted from the Vicarage. Spare a thought for our non #CofE members.

I light this week’s #candleforcare on the eve of the UN #InternationalDayofCare and Support to highlight the tens of thousands who care for and support others across the world, both paid professionals and unpaid individuals. #careaboutcare.

With thanks to our members who contributed to this and worked hard on it, and to @churchtimes.bsky.social for this report. We, and our children, wait to see who takes notice of it..!

Out of interest (self-interest): Anyone looking specifically into the outworkings of a culture that heavily emphasised/s self-denial & sacrifice in the lives of women of a certain age?

Can musical training rewire the brain to resist pain?

We believe you. Speaking up after experiencing #DomesticAbuse can be extremely difficult, but we’re always here to listen. There is no shame in needing help. For more information contact us on: ☎️ 0151 263 7474 ☎️ 0800 084 2744 🌐 LiverpoolDomesticAbuseService.org.uk

FYI Universal Credit for a single person is £4,801.68 per annum for which you will be harassed, coerced and threatened constantly via your own mobile phone by the DWP, while in media you will be called scrounging workshy scum by the LABOUR party.

'[We need] not only generalisations about the benefits of diversity or whatever, but a story about the kind of vulnerabilities that people in the streets in the UK can identify with' - this is excellent from Rowan Williams. Compassionate and nuanced.

Our annual opportunity for some of us to meet up with old friends & new members. It was a festival with all the feelings, as ever. The challenge now is to grow hope in some very difficult situations #HopeIsAVerb #GB25 #greenbelt

Question: #Greenbelt #GB25 people, what's the best way to communicate with spouses and partners of #clergy who may be struggling in unhappy marriages, to let them know they are not alone? And to offer the opportunity of meeting, to those who may need to be incognito?

I have not heard anything at all from government ministers nor the opposition nor many media outlets about the dangers of this epidemic of sweeping casual racism. It is sometimes seen as comical - as with Rupert Lowe and the rowers - but it is dangerous and dehumanising

Good to see this being discussed- at least by people who can afford to buy it 😆 Thank God for social media! UK people please let us know what you think

"...When it comes to the predatory power of a... charismatic figure.., consent can be complex." If only this was understood, & if only the understanding was acted upon, especially by those with responsibilities for systems of accountability #ChurchToo ✝️

Not just kids!

#vss365 #prompt I followed the #rules— Looked up to you, Played the good wife, Built us a life. Swallowed my pride, Stood by your side, Did as you asked, Forgave the past. Hung on your word, Hoped to be heard, Only to find No peace of mind. What hope has grace, When lies take its place? #poetry

#CoerciveControl "We’ve named the violence but haven’t yet built the systems to stop it" Which is more shocking, the low rate of convictions or the high number of suicides driven by #DomesticAbuse?

As a GP, I am not allowed to receive a pen or post-it note pad from a pharmaceutical company rep! Govt banned them in case I was influenced to prescribe medications. This should also be banned? Influence being bought in Govt? Patients should influence not the healthy & wealthy

Good motto for many of us

A helpful articulation that we don't live in a binary world of them or us, sick or well, giver or reciever, safe or harmful... Trust is more complicated and human than the best-designed safeguarding system will ever be able to cater for. *Cultures of vigilance, transparency & accountability, please*

#NotEqualYet indeed. How to exist without threatening male power? 🤔

#synod ✝️ Maybe we should have a big excruciating debate now about this: "Clergy should set an example of integrity in relationships, and faithfulness in marriage.” (-Guidelines for Professional Conduct of the Clergy) Do let us know if you want us to chip in 🤔 (La la la...)

Redress is about much more than financial compensation, writes Andrew Graystone

The vow of marriage should never be misconstrued as a vow to endure abuse. #domesticabuse

"Shame Must Change Sides" 🙌🙌🙌 BBC News - Gisèle Pelicot given France's highest award www.bbc.com/news/article...

And hear it, Preachers

For the UK

The divorce metaphor here is very near the mark for us. It's widely agreed amongst #divorced spouses of #clergy that attempting to live separately together* is excruciating. (So much else we could say here, but 🥱we've found other things to care about now) [* #TiedHousing often leaves no choice]

What would these stats be for low income families in #TiedHousing? 🤔

We were taught to love, love, love. And forgive, forgive, forgive. But no-one ever showed us all the Bible verses telling us to get away from abusive, unfaithful, swindling, money-obsessed, boastful, arrogant, immoral, or unloving people who use empty words. lifesavingdivorce.com/runfromabuse...

We become masters of disguise. A brave face, a forced smile, an excuse for every incident. “No, everything’s fine,” we say, even when it isn’t. Because admitting the truth feels more terrifying than living the lie.

Welcome to our world. So many of us experience this if we dare to tell the truth about our "Godly" exes. (You don't have to be bonkers, but it helps)

Here's to a different kind of leadership, the "rehumanisation of people in public life", and new understandings of power. And, of course, supportive spouses 🙌

"I wanted to feel the vindication that I thought assigning fault might bring. These feelings were fueled by a lingering sense of self-righteousness rooted in my religious convictions.." Unfortunately the full article is behind a paywall, but the first part is interesting and promising

Truth tellers in toxic families, churches & communities are almost always scapegoated-- & scapegoats in toxic systems are almost always truth tellers. Because a survivor is injured or struggling doesn't mean they do not have valid, important truths to tell.

Figures out today from @trusselluk.bsky.social also show that 2.9 million emergency food parcels were provided across the UK between April 2024 and March 2025 to people in hardship. This is up by just over 50% over the last five years. 3/5

BREAKING: new DWP figures show PIP fraud is still virtually zero Liz Kendall thinks people are 'taking the mickey' out of the DWP - but once again, her own figures on PIP show this is a lie. @rachelcdailey.bsky.social has the story www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...

You might hope that the church would be blazing a trail of better practice...🤔✝️⚓

Great excitement all over the nation, as Broken Rites members prepare to descend on Westminster tomorrow for our AGM. Sounds deathly dull, but it'll be a joy to gather together again with new friends & old. Especially when isolation is such a challenge for many. Ain't no support like #PeerSupport.

Adult trauma too