Music / Sexual violence
The new song raising awareness for sexual violence awareness week
On March 3 2021, Sarah Everard was killed as she was walking home to Brixton. A few months later on September 17 2021, Sabina Nessa was killed as she walked to meet a friend in Greenwich.
These two incidents were horrific and are not isolated. In between these two dates, a further 77 women were killed by men in the UK, which is one woman every 2.5 days.
As we approach Sexual Abuse / Sexual Violence Awareness Week in February, Bristol-based musicians MARIA and Martin Badder are promoting their new song, Home By Nine – the new song raising awareness and funds for sexual abuse support.
is needed now More than ever
“I wrote Home by Nine on a train one day. I was feeling so overwhelmed, so hurt by everything my friends and I had experienced in our lives. It all came crashing down on me and my heart honestly broke that day,” said MARIA.
“There isn’t a woman in my life who at some point hasn’t been afraid, followed, assaulted, or not believed. Not a single one. I felt like I was burning with anger at the injustice of it… and then the words just came out. I’ve been writing since I was 16, and nothing has ever flowed out onto the page so quickly. It needed to come out. It needs to be said.”
“The way things are right now, it is normal to be afraid. But being afraid does not make us weak. It makes us strong, and I want women everywhere to know that.”
The single is by Bristol artists MARIA and Martin Badder. Credit: Jack Powley.
The track will be released on February 11 and all profits from the single will go to charities Bristol Women’s Voice and SARSAS (Somerset & Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support).
Katy Taylor, director of Bristol Women’s Voice, said: “We are living through an epidemic of male violence against women and girls and ‘Home By Nine’ is a powerful reminder of the dangers women face and the fear they experience daily.”
“Bristol Women’s Voice is committed to making Bristol a city free from all forms of gender-based violence and we will continue to do everything in our power to tackle the sexism and misogyny that lays the foundations for male violence. We are proud to be a part of this project alongside SARSAS, which does such vital work to support survivors of sexual violence in and around Bristol.”
Main photo: Jack Powley
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