The latest news of the Transfer Orders to the sisters supporting the rape survivor nun in Kerala is yet another attempt by the Missionaries of Jesus to isolate the victim-survivor. It displays a lack of understanding of the trauma that the victim-survivor is experiencing and is an attempt to intimidate the sisters supporting her. The Superior General obviously disbelieves the sister survivor.
Fortunately, there are many of us in the church who DO BELIEVE the sister, and it's time for us to stand up for her and the sisters who have the courage to support her.
February 2 is the International Day of the Consecrated Life in our Church. On 24th February, Pope Francis has invited bishops from around the world to discuss about Sexual Abuse in the Church. Between this period, especially as this is a special month for Women Religious, can we flood the media with a wave of support for the rape survivor sister?
The Indian Christian Women's Movement (ICWM) is running a social media campaign on the lines of #IBelieveHer. To join, all you have to do is: STEP 1: Change the cover photo/ profile pic on Facebook/WhatsApp/Instagram/Twitter to a picture that speaks of support to the Sisters.
STEP 2: Create a buzz on Twitter and FB: i. Download and print one of the posters below on A4 size paper.
ii. Encourage as many sisters of your convent/congregation, friends, relatives, neighbours, etc. to click a photo holding the poster. iii. Upload the pictures of as many persons who are willing on our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Indian-Christian-womens-movement-ICWM-566064857083601/) or on Twitter and tag us @icwm_india. Type the following hashtags in your post: #IBelieveHer #SupportRapeSurvivor #SisterSurvivor #ClergySexualAbuse #MeToo #ChurchToo #TimesUp
iv. Follow ICWM on Twitter and Facebook and share our posters and posts about this issue on your own timelines.
We look forward to your active support of this act of solidarity in this movement for justice.