SEWACS Staying Home Leaving Violence program, with support from the Social Justice Advocates and the local domestic violence committee, are hosting a series of events in order to raise awareness about domestic abuse and how we understand and respond to this.
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Straight Talk will showcase two short films. In Big Bad Love, comedian Becky Lucas sets out to uncover what an abusive relationship really looks like and how you can help if a friend is trapped in one. This will be followed by a short film by Leah Purcell called Young Black Chicks Talking, which explores respectful relationships from the perspective of Aboriginal teenage girls.
A diverse panel of knowledgeable and informed guests, including the author of "See What You Made Me Do" Jess Hill, will answer questions anonymously gathered by the audience. David Hollier, co-author of a chapter of the book, psychotherapist and Jess's partner, will also be on the panel in Merimbula and Bega. Gabrielle Jones, a local social worker and educator who uses performance such as drumming to raise the visibility of women's voices through facilitating creative expression on many issues including domestic violence, will also be a panel member. Organisers also felt it was important to have someone who works with youth to be on the panel, and Chris Pittolo has agreed to come on board in Eden and Merimbula. Chris is a psychologist whose work has focused on youth.
This is an opportunity to ask the questions you don't dare ask and gain insight into this challenging topic. Questions can be asked via an online platform that can be easily accessed on your smartphone. These questions can be asked anonymously, or you can ask the old fashioned way by dropping your written question into the mailbox provided.
The audience will be treated with performances from local dance troupe The Great Bush, who will dance the Wuthering Heights dance. This event has links to raising awareness around the issues of domestic and family violence and organiser are pleased Mica and her troupe volunteered to participate. If there is enough interest there will be pre-event dance classes to learn the dance. The Bega Womyn's Drummers led by Gabrielle Jones will also be joining in this event. Both performances aim to empower women and to raise awareness surrounding domestic abuse.
The events will be held at Eden Marine High School library on Thursday, October 17, at 6.30pm, Merimbula Public School library on Friday, October 18, at 6.30pm, and Bega High School hall on Saturday, October 19, at 6.30pm.
All people in the community are invited to attend these events, which are recommended for people 15+. These are free events.
The Social Justice Advocates have kindly supported these events through funds donated by Spectrum Theatre. SEWACS would like to thank the support from the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast, Spectrum Theatre, Coles Bega, Coles Eden, Jess Hill, David Hollier, Gabrielle Jones, Chris Pittolo, Café Evolve, Candelo Books, Eden High School, Merimbula Public School, Bega High School and the members of the Bega Valley Domestic Violence Committee who supported these events.
If you would like more information, contact Caroline at SEWACS on 6492 2088 or 0428 136 196.
