On April 5, 2019, Sahara Services, in collaboration with Social Foundry, will be hosting an evening with survivors and artists, showcasing their art around themes of sexual abuse, empowerment and healing. Featured visual and spoken art, and stories, will reflect creators’ personal experiences as survivors of sexual abuse or will be empathetic renditions of similar experiences of loved ones and others. Besides art and performances, the event will also feature a well-known psychologist, whose substantial body of work includes working with and empowering survivors of sexual abuse.
• “One in three women will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime.”
• “One in six men will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime.”
• “39% of Canadian adult women reported having had at least one experience of sexual assault since the age of 16”
-SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton Area)
“Our society, or certain elements make survivors feel that they must remain quiet about their experiences because of the shame associated with it, and with being a survivor of abuse, but it is never a survivor’s fault and silence should never be their burden to bear. Silence not only fosters abuse, but it allows perpetrators to prey on innocent victims; it’s time to end the silence,” says Nimi Chauhan, founder and president of Sahara Services.
Despite the frequency of actual incidents of sexual violence, the general tendency in society is to not discuss issues around this because of discomfort and shame – even survivors, to avoid social and familial repercussions, are forced to silence their truth, which in of itself obstructs the process healing. To challenge these regressive attitudes and embolden voices of survivors, this evening will be a platform for the launch of Sahara’s #notmysecret campaign.
“It’s time we come together and make a difference and Social Foundry has an important role in creating space and supporting innovation. Social Foundry was formed as a collective network that provides, in this instance, strategic support to cause-driven platforms like #notmysecret. Our disruptive model supports, celebrates and will soon finance how women of colour and their allies advocate for social justice.” Jessie Kaur Lehail, founder, Social Foundry
The hashtag has several purposes that emboldens survivors and allies to speak up, show solidarity, rise above shame or guilt, heal, encourage conversations, and builds community.
ART EXHIBITION DETAILS
Location: Studio Theatre at Surrey Arts Centre 13750 88 Avenue
Date/Time: April 5th, 2019.
Doors open: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $20
Box Office: Surrey Civic Theatres 604-501-5566
Online: tickets.surrey.ca
Net proceeds from this event will go towards covering counselling sessions and other therapies for applicable survivors at Moving Forward Family Services.
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