Savera UK, a leading charity established in Merseyside to help people affected by ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, has announced the first acts that will perform at its March to End HBA 2025 and “Culture at the Bombed Out Church” festival on Saturday 27th September.
Its annual awareness-raising march through Liverpool city centre will this year end at the iconic St Luke’s Bombed Out Church with an afternoon of performances by its community partners Katumba, Movema, renowned drummer and percussionist Felix Ngindu, Sattvika Arts & Cultural Centre, MD Productions, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF), Dee Sign BSL Choir and dancers from Pagoda Arts.
There will also be poetry readings by members of the Savera UK Youth Collective and the charity’s clients, survivor stories and a free henna station, as well as more speakers and acts still to be revealed.
The “March to End HBA 2025” and “Culture at the Bombed Out Church” are supported by march sponsors, Maria Fogg Family Law, festival supporters, FPC and Helplines Partnership, venue partner, St Luke’s Bombed Out Church and longstanding campaign partner, Zonta London, with whom the march was first established in 2022.
Under the theme ‘Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse’ the events seek to raise awareness of the issue of HBA and harmful practices including forced marriage, FGM, conversion ‘therapy’ and spiritual abuse, among others, and how these forms of abuse can easily be missed due to lack of recognition and understanding.
It also aims to separate these forms of abuse from culture or certain communities, defining them instead as a collection of abuse characteristics and a violation of human rights that can affect anyone regardless of culture, background, gender, age, sexuality or disability.
Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder, said: “‘Honour’-based abuse and harmful practices are too often wrongly conflated with culture. These practices are simply abuse and a violation of human rights that are not a part of any culture, faith or community’s traditions.
“Culture and tradition are beautiful. They are the things that shape our identity and allow us to belong. They are music, language, dance, art – all of which will be showcased at our celebration. Culture is never an excuse for abuse.
“We invite people to march with us to raise awareness of this, and then celebrate the true meaning of culture with us. Hosting this event with the support of the Bombed Out Church holds special meaning for us, not just because the venue is a testament to community spirit in Liverpool and the power of the arts to affect change, it is also the place where our march began in 2022.
“That year a small group of us marched from the steps of the Bombed Out Church, down Bold Street, led by Movema’s Sankofa Bird who represented freedom and beauty. Since then, the event has grown each year, to a point where we can now host a full celebration of culture. To do this in our 15th birthday year is a true achievement.
“Many of our community partners, sponsors and festival supporters have worked with the charity over those 15 years, helping to amplify our message and support our mission to end HBA and harmful practices for good. We could not do this without them and we look forward to celebrating with them on 27th September.”
Natasha Martin, Chartered Legal Executive Advocate, from march sponsor Maria Fogg Family Law, said: “We’re proud to support Savera UK and their March to End HBA, because no one should face abuse or violence in the name of tradition. Standing alongside Savera UK reflects our commitment to protecting vulnerable people, raising awareness, and driving change in our community.”
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner from festival support, FPC, said: “At FPC, we believe in standing alongside organisations that create real, lasting change in people’s lives. Savera UK’s work to end ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices – and to help survivors rebuild their futures – is both vital and urgent. We are proud to support their 15th anniversary campaign, which challenges misconceptions, raises awareness, and celebrates the beauty of culture without excuse for abuse. For us, this is about protecting human rights, supporting those most at risk, and contributing to a safer, more inclusive society.”
Miguel Doforo, from community partner, MD Productions, said: “The MD Productions team, via See You See Me, will proudly gift a special community performance for Savera Uk’s event. Our work will showcase the incredible talent and spirit within our community, while carrying forward the event’s core message: that unity, respect, and understanding are the true heartbeat of culture.”
As well as the March to End HBA and Culture at the Bombed Out Church on Saturday 27th September, there will also be a special free awareness session on Modern Slavery relating to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) in October 2025, and a free online event for professionals on Wednesday 10th December 2025 ‘HBA and Harmful Practices Happen Here – Responding As A Frontline Professional’.
To find out more about “Culture is Beautiful: March to End HBA & Culture at the Bombed Out Church” visit: https://www.saverauk.co.uk/culture-is-beautiful/