The Bishop of Dover is supporting a campaign to raise awareness of the one in three women world-wide who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.

The initiative is by the Mothers' Union, which says the numbers of victims have soared following lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The group is calling for an end to abuse and violence now, with #nomore1in3, a campaign launched as part of its Global Day of Action last Saturday.

That day campaigners formed gatherings around the country for three minutes of silence.

The Rt Revd Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin, said: “Abuse of any kind – be it physical, psychological or emotional – should not be tolerated in our communities and that’s why I believe it’s important to support the Mothers’ Union #nomore1in3 campaign.”

The Global Day of Action is the organisation’s response to the call for 16 days of activism against gender based violence, a UN women’s committee initiative, launched in 1991.

The campaign began last Thursday, which is International Day Against Violence Against Women, to Friday, December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Bev Jullien, the CEO of Mothers’ Union, said: “Lockdown and the recent media coverage around the shocking deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, only serve to confirm why more must be done on this issue now.”

Bishops from the Church of England were joined by the Archbishops of both York and Canterbury, Stephen Cottrell and Justin Welby, in calling for the church and wider community to support the #1in3 campaign.

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, said: “Mothers’ Union is not just doing a great job in raising awareness of violence against women, but also confronting it. The whole church needs to be involved in this campaign, and men and boys must step up and recognise the change that is needed to truly combat this issue.”

Across the British Isles the Mothers' Union's practical support includes providing essential items for refuges, training and support workshops on gender-based issues in schools and prisons.

It also supports the families of survivors to heal and rebuild important family bonds through ‘Away From It All breaks.

The start of the campaign was also on White Ribbon Day, which is run by White Ribbon UK, part of a global movement to end male violence against women.

Sarah Everard, 33, was abducted in south London on March 3 and ended up being taken to the outskirts of Dover where she was raped and strangled. Her remains were found at woodland near Great Chart, Ashford.

Wayne Couzens, 48, of Freemen's Way, Deal, was a serving armed policeman at the time and later in court admitted kidnapping, raping and murdering her.

He was given a whole life sentence on September 30.

Sabina Nessa, 28, was killed as she walked through Cator Park in Kidbrooke, south east London,on Friday, September 17.

Garage worker Koci Selamaj, 36, from Eastbourne, is accused of her murder and remains in custody following a court appearance.

A post-mortem examination has yet to confirm the exact cause of Ms Nessa's death but the attack was said to have involved “extreme violence.”

Vigils were held for her around the country including in Margate.

As part of the investigation police searched woodland near Tunbridge Wells at the end of September.

The Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide.