If you live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and are experiencing domestic abuse, please contact the UAVA helpline on 0808 80 200 28. For text support, message 07715 994 962.
Powerful and thought-provoking pieces of art are to go on display to help open up conversations about domestic abuse and give survivors a voice.
The exhibition- entitled ‘Expression of Freedom’- will run at Stephenson College, Coalville. There will also be a smaller exhibition at Coalville Library.
Developed by the Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership, the showcase is an artistic collaboration between Leicestershire-based artists and groups supported by Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Wellbeing Service.
A series of creative workshops were commissioned by the council to explore the context of abuse in relationships with a range of people and use art to reflect, heal and empower.
Groups which took part included young people and survivors of domestic abuse, who used the art for reflection, healing and empowerment.
This is an extremely powerful and moving exhibition and I am so glad we have been able to support this and help survivors of abuse find their creative voice.
“We can only affect a sea of change in the recognition and addressing of domestic abuse by talking about it, and confronting it, as this exhibition does. I’d encourage everyone to go to Stephenson College and see the exhibition for themselves.
Person:Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for safer communities
The exhibition has allowed survivors to channel their experiences into something creative and help not only themselves but other victims in North West Leicestershire.
“Our aim is to create a stronger and safer community and events like this help to open up conversations around domestic abuse and develop new avenues of support for our residents.
“I’d like to thank the survivors, young people and local artists for coming forward and invite you all to visit the exhibition to see the powerful pieces that they’ve created.
Person:Councillor Andrew Woodman, chair of the Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership
‘Expression of Freedom’ will run from 25th November-10th December, coinciding with the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence, an international event supported by Public Health England.
The artwork will be available for the public to view at formal viewings on 1st, 7th, and 8th December from 5pm-8pm.
- The county council is currently consulting on its Domestic Abuse Strategy. To have your say on the plans visit leicestershire.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-strategy
- County Hall will be lit up in orange from the evening of Thursday, 25 November for 16 days. This is in support of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence which is an annual international campaign; the global theme for this year is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”.
- Furthermore, White Ribbon Day, raising awareness of violence against women and girls, is on 25 November and a flag will be flying at County Hall.