The Lisa Project: a chilling exhibit at GHHS
The Lisa Project “Some Secrets Should Be Told” is an interactive exhibit with the goal to raise awareness about child abuse, family violence, and sexual abuse.
It’s chilling, emotional, and horrifying to hear the real stories that have happened to children and young adults featured in the exhibit. And while being horrified, it will make your blood boil.
By raising awareness and education, people can help combat the abuse of children and help connect people with local community resources.
At the Granite Hills High School Library the Tulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Zonta Club of Porterville are hosting The Lisa Project so students and staff can view the project from 8:30 a.m until 3:30 p.m. today and Wednesday. On Monday parents and community members could view the interactive project along with “Z” Club members and school staff.
In the actual “Interactive Project,” pictures aren’t allowed to be taken. But it can be written about a bit.
In the exhibit you wear headphones and listen to the stories, and see facsimiles of the environment in which these children and young people lived.
First an abusive relationship with a young child involved, then a young child living in neglict with a parent on drugs, then a young girl being physically abused hurt and hit, and a young woman being sexually abused by her father.
All sickening. And then anyone who sees this, starts thinking about people they’ve known, or people even closer.
It can be tough, and it sure brings up emotions, and it can be emotionally draining. But it’s really worth going to see. And learning about.
This abuse happens and people are now coming out and telling their stories. And the abuse happens from someone they know. 90 percent of the victims know the perpetrator.
And children have a lack of choice, they don’t choose where, or to whom they were born.
At the end of the interactive project you learn Lisa, the original little girl, has grown up, gotten out of the abusive relationship, and found help in the community with resources and support. It ends with hope, and “What are we going to do now” prevention efforts.
There are post it notes for people to write their quick comments or thoughts, and they are touching like “End the cycle of abuse now.” And about empowering young women, and aiding and helping children. So often there’s abuse and it’s not seen, recognized, and hidden because people are ashamed. And often people don’t know what to look for.
GHHS Principal Jacob Bowker spoke about the “Z” Club on campus, which is the High School Zonta Club, who asked him to bring “The Lisa Project” on campus for 2022. After learning more about it and “the call to action” he was eager to have the exhibit for the students and the community.
“We are aware that this exhibit showcases sensitive topics, but the message needs to be shared with everyone. So staff and students have permission to speak up.
“It is upsetting to hear how prevalent this abuse is in our community and throughout the Central
Valley. It’s everywhere. But with the rise and demand for mental health support, it’s time to start talking.”
Z Club students seniors Makayla Garcia, Estrella Ceballos, Nancy Palomares, and Emily Moreno were helping people with the Ipods and headphones for the Lisa Project exhibit.
The four seniors spoke about the project, saying this is something they need to learn about and The Lisa Project is really impactful, brings awareness to the many types of abuse that’s important to be able to recognize to protect others and yourself.
The project offers great resources for the different types of abuse, and it can help younger and older women with community resources to help “break the cycle of abuse.”
The “Z” club seniors also said the resources can help women to stick together and feel safe.
Projects like this bring awareness to help people get out and get help. Sometimes if they don’t know what to look for, they don’t know what’s going on.
For instance, if you’ve grown up in an abusive relationship, or a controlling environment, you don’t necessarily know what life is like otherwise.
And one abusive relationship can often lead to another.
That’s where “End the cycle” comes in.
The Lisa Project is open at the Granite Hills High School Library from Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., 1701 W. Putnam Ave., Porterville
For more information call: 559-7350456 or email: info@tularecountycapc.org