Say Her Name: Vigil held to remember women lost to ‘epidemic’ of male violence

MOMENT TO REFLECT: From left, Sian Alexander, Vicky Foster, and Jo Charlton at the Say Her Name Hull vigil

By Simon Bristow

A vigil to commemorate women and girls who have died as a result of male violence has been held in Hull city centre.

Today’s gathering at Beverley Gate, near Whitefriargate, was the third such vigil to be held in the city since the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021, and the first under the newly-formed Say Her Name Hull group.

A shocking total of 61 women and girls are thought to have died at the hands of men in the UK since the group’s last vigil in October.

The event, held in a spring shower, began with an introduction by Say Her Name Hull co-founder and co-organiser Jo Charlton.

Hull poet Vicky Foster then read a poem she had written especially for the occasion.

Then to remember the 61, the name of each victim was said aloud as a card bearing their name was displayed.

Those assembled then observed two minutes of silence.

Hull North Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson was among those who attended.

She said afterwards: “It’s just shocking when the names are read out, and you realise each one is a daughter, mother, sister, auntie, just horrific.

“And the fact is, male violence against women and girls is an epidemic. I’m really pleased that the Government has recognised this now and it’s a strategic policing priority, just in the way that terrorism is, so I think that’s positive.

“But now we need to see action, we need to see these numbers reducing.”

Sian Alexander, Say Her Name Hull co-founder and co-organiser, said: “We feel it is really important to continue the vigils as a way to focus on and highlight the issue, and as a chance to reflect and gather, not just for women and girls but for men to understand, because this is an issue that is society-wide and needs all of us to address it.

“We are passionate about talking with the police, the council, and other stakeholders, organisations and charities, and groups like Justice for Our Sisters, because anything we can do to highlight and raise awareness of this issue we will do.

‘IT’S SHOCKING AND HORRIFIC’: Dame Diana Johnson MP, left, at the vigil

“The vigil gives us a chance to do that, and chance for that quiet moment of reflection to remember those who have died.”

She added: “Even the act of the three of us writing their names out on the cards today was absolutely harrowing, not just the number, but the manner in which those women and girls were killed really brings it home and reminds us why we are doing it.”

The Hull vigils will be held every six months.

This is the poem that was written and read by Vicky Foster:

Universes have fallen out of orbit

And we, spinning around them,

Look for reason, find it missing

Space has opened up

Where rivers of thought and words

Constellations of electrons

Used to flow and move

Ligaments have loosened

Gravity stutters as we try to realign

Inside the steady beat of time

We plant our feet together

Take a breath that she cannot

And say her name.