Local voices in festival’s focus
Perth and Kinross Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre marked its 10th year with an exhibition in the High Street’s Civic Hall this week, which runs until the end of today. Therapeutic support worker Charlene Jones, left, and training and impact worker Gwendoline Telford are pictured. A panel which includes said: “It has been a local women Jen Stewart, remarkable journey for from the Perth and Kinross RASAC P&K over the last 10 Rape and Sexual Abuse years, a true privilege Centre, and Joan MacLean working alongside so of Perthshire Women’s Aid, many exceptional women, will feature in a discussion young people and families on how society can change in their journey of recovery. attitudes towards violence “Securing necessary against women and girls funding to respond to the and what may work to needs we have identified prevent it. over the years has proved
The session – from challenging and continues noon-1pm on Sunday at to be a concern for our the concert hall – will be services. chaired by Talat Yaqoob, “Support for local founder of Women 50/50 violence against women and a director of Equate services is vital in both Scotland. preventing abuse and
It will contain testimony providing appropriate, from local women who are responsive support survivors of sexual, services. physical and domestic “Too often we are faced abuse. Other contributors with assumptions that rape include Amina and Zero and sexual abuse doesn’t Tolerance. really happen in this area.
Reflecting on the centre’s However, the demand for 10th anniversary, services evidences that the dvelopment manager Jen need very much exists. We want all survivors to know that we will listen and will always believe.”
Later in the day, Jenni Gunn will be discussing the topic of international activism in the auditorium at Perth Concert Hall from 1.30-2.30pm.
The locally-based feminist, activist and trade unionist is the co-founder of political party RISE and works in the care sector, in a support and advocacy role for young people and adults with additional support needs.
She will be asking the question:“What can UK-based activists learn from their international sisters?”
During the hour-long session, there will be speeches from leading international figures on how to turn local activism into global solidarity.