The Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, has spoken about the death of York-born Sarah Everard and public response to it.

"Like many others I have been shocked by the terrible news of Sarah Everard's death.

"Sarah grew up and went to school in York and so her family and many of her friends are local people.

"I would ask everyone to pray for Sarah's family, and to challenge gender-based violence in our society and the damaging climate of fear which limits women’s freedom of choice and personal safety."

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Merciful God,
hear the cries of our grief,
for you know the anguish of our hearts.
It is beyond our understanding
and more than we can bear.
Accept our prayer
that as Sarah has been released from this world's cruelty,
so may she be received into your safe hands and secure love.
We pray that justice may be done
and that we may treasure the memory of her life more than the manner of her death.
For Christ's sake,
Amen.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005