As all rape victims and survivors know, the road to recovery from such a deep-seated trauma is long and arduous.
Reverend June Dolley-Major
Anglican Reverend June Dolley-Major is walking from Sir Lowry’s Pass to Makhanda to raise awareness about the plight of rape victims within the church, and in society in general.
Dolley-Major alleges she was raped by a fellow priest, Melvin Booysen, in Makhanda (then Grahamstown) nearly 19 years ago.
She has been staging protests in an attempt to get the Anglican Church of South Africa to acknowledge what happened to her and prevent others from suffering a similar fate.
As all rape victims and survivors know, the road to recovery from such a deep-seated trauma is long and arduous.
This is the message that she and Elsies River activist, Celesthea Pierang, aim to bring home with their campaign, “Try Walking in my Shoes, the Shoes of a Rape Survivor”.
Dolley-Major recently won a small victory when the Western Cape High Court dismissed Booysen’s application for an interdict to stop her from naming him publicly and on social media.
“However, this was overshadowed by the ruling of the Anglican Church Tribunal which found in favour of Booysen and used victim-blaming and character assassination to justify their denial of the experience of multiple victims in favour of patriarchal tradition,” Dolley-Major said.
“Undeterred, I continue on my mission knowing that women are in the middle of a femicide, that they are not safe anywhere, whether at the post office or place of worship.
“We are safe absolutely nowhere,” she continued. She and Pierang will be in Knysna over the weekend 8 to 10 October.
At 14:00 on Saturday afternoon, 9 October, a feminist theology picnic will be held at Shepherd’s Tree. Everyone is welcome to join them for a conversation about the impacts of patriarchal traditions on the interpretation of religious doctrine.
Those who want to attend may bring something to sit on and something to snack on. Those who wish to purchase their snacks from the restaurant should come early to place their orders by 13:00. For more information, contact Philomene on 068 085 4566.
On Sunday afternoon, 10 October, at 14:00 there will be a tea at Sirius Lodge, Simola, for victims and survivors of GBV and attempted femicide. Space is limited. Call Charmaine on 073 481 9908 for more information.
Supporters are encouraged to join the two ladies for part of the walk. Walkers can meet them at the Red Bridge on Friday afternoon, 8 October, at around 16:00 to accompany them on the last part of their walk into town, and can walk with them on Monday 11 October, on their way out of town.
Interested people are welcome to contact Candice on 060 715 3607 for routes and further details. Follow Dolley-Major’s progress on the Facebook page, @Justiceforallwomen.
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