Exhibitions will tackle violence against women
EventhighlightingworkofRapeandSexualAbuseCentre
Two exhibitions are to be held in Perth to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Perth and Kinross (RASAC).
The exhibitions will show the organisation’s work over the past decade and highlight a number of key developments within the wider violence against women agenda from Monday, October 23 until the following Friday in the Civic Hall at 2 High Street.
Jen Stewart, development manager at RASAC, said: “We are thrilled to be sharing the work of our organisation and raising awareness about sexual violence through our forthcoming event.
“Above all else it will be a real celebration of the strength that we are so privileged to see in survivors each and every day.
“Our work to address commercial sexual exploitation has strengthened our links with the encompass network and we welcome the opportunity to bring their extremely powerful exhibition to this area.
“Sexual violence continues to be one of the most hidden forms of gender based violence, with the harm of sexual exploitation being particularly invisible.”
The exhibition will also run alongside ‘Inside Outside’, on the world of sex workers in Scotland.
Co-ordinated by Linda Thompson from the Women’s Support Project, it shows women taking their own images chronicling their background in sex work and their struggle to break free from it.
Linda explained: “Inside Outside has been an incredible piece of work which highlights the reality of inside the sex industry, which many people don’t get the chance to hear about.
“The women were honest in telling their stories and we are privileged as outsiders to be allowed into their lives.
“These women have been and still are incredibly brave, having experienced violence and abuse.”
This year’s exhibition is also being supported by the Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership, which is currently encouraging women who have been victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence to seek out support and help.
Lex Greig, chair of the partnership, said: “We are delighted to congratulate RASAC Perth and Kinross on its 10 years of support to survivors of sexual violence in our area.
“The organisation has not stood still and its journey has been one of continual growth and development to meet the complex needs of those seeking help.
“As survivors seek help in greater numbers than ever before the challenge for the next 10 years will be to continue to develop to meet that increased need and I have absolutely no doubt that RASAC Perth and Kinross has the leadership, staff and volunteers to meet that challenge head on.”
The exhibition will run from 12.30pm until 5pm on Monday next week, 9.30am until 5pm on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am until 12.30pm on the Friday.
Organisers have said some of the content of the exhibition deals with sexual violence, abuse and exploitation which some people may find upsetting – and some exhibits are for over 16s only.