Community reeling from fatal stabbing offered support by charity
A not-for-profit organisation is offering its support to a community after a woman was fatally stabbed last month.
Police were called to an address in Greenland Quay following reports of a woman suffering stab wounds just before 3pm on November 29.
The victim, 57-year-old Margaret Cunningham, was taken to hospital where she died later that evening.
Andrew Cunningham, 61, was arrested in Rotherhithe. He has since been charged with murdering his sister.
In the days following the incident, Restorative Justice For All (RJ4All), based in Plough Way, Rotherhithe, released a statement.
Professor Theo Gavrielides, RJ4All’s founder and director said: “We recognise the increasing issue of gender-based violence, and the impact it can have on our community.
“Such events can create fear and division, but our community is resilient. With the right support, we can build a stronger, safer SE16 together.”
RJ4ALL is a non-profit enterprise which supports 350 people a month through its food bank, digital drop-ins, employment and education workshops, youth clubs and daily meetings with both victims and ex-offenders.
Speaking to the South London Press, Mr Gavrielides said: “We were all shaken. I live very close and I was worried for my family for a few days.”
Ms Cunningham’s death fell within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – an annual, international campaign to raise awareness and call for an end of violence against women.
Mr Gavrielides said: “All over the world people acknowledge that we need to do more against gender based violence. But this stabbing happening within those 16 days just shows we have a very long way to go.”
With funding from the City Bridge Foundation for the past three years, RJ4ALL has offered direct, free services to victims and perpetrators of gender based violence.
Mr Gavrielides said: “We give them the support they want and we listen – every case is different.”
Last week, the government announced that it would cut funding for frontline victim-support services by 4.2 per cent in 2025.
The government says the justice system is under “immense pressure”, but it will protect support for victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse.
Mr Gavrielides said: “Funding is crucial, cases of violence against women are all complex – it’s not like shop lifting.”
RJ4ALL is not Government funded so will avoid the cuts, but, Mr Gavrielides said this means they will face the burden of supporting other services which have been affected.
But, Mr Gavrielides said: “We are not turning a blind eye to the challenges we face; instead, we are tackling them.
“Communities really can balance things out. We’ve got a lot of events coming up and our doors are always open.
“This is an opportunity for us to say – come here if you want to get involved in the community or if you feel unsafe.”
RJ4ALL offers a safe space where you can enjoy a warm drink, take part in a free gym session, access a food bank, and join wellbeing activities. Also in the area, next week’s Greenland Dock Lights Festival has been organised by a network of charities.
To contact RJ4ALL for support or to get involved in community initiatives, email: admin@rj4all.org or call: +44 77 08 758 600.
Pictured top: Flowers left in memory of Margaret Cunningham (Picture: RJ4ALL)