Exeter flashmob to raise awareness of male violence against women
A flashmob dance is to be staged in Exeter city centre as a local charity takes part in an international ‘rising’ against the abuse and exploitation of women.
On the afternoon of Saturday February 18th, a single dancer in Princesshay’s Bedford Square will gradually be joined by dozens more, performing to the protest song Break the Chain.
The flashmob is being organised by the city’s Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) charity as part of the international One Billion Rising campaign which takes place every year, with events all over the world between early February and International Women’s Day on March 8th.
One Billion Rising has been described as the biggest mass action to end men’s violence against women in human history. The campaign began in 2012 as a call to action based on the shocking statistic that one in three women in the world – amounting to a billion - will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. Every February, campaigners in hundreds of countries ‘rise’ to show their local communities and the world as a whole what one billion looks like and shine a light on the injustice often faced by survivors. But they also ‘rise’ to show that they have not been defeated by this violence and are determined to create a new consciousness in which the abuse of women is no longer tolerated.
Although SAFE have supported the One Billion Rising events in Exeter in past years, this is the first time the charity have organised the flashmob dance. The aim is not only to support the international campaign, but also to raise awareness of the alarming levels of male violence against women in Exeter, across Devon and in the UK as a whole.
Organiser Liz Langley, a Children and Families Support Worker at SAFE, said: “Stop Abuse for Everyone are delighted to be able to organise this event for Devon. As a small charity we aim to work with others to stop domestic abuse and violence, and offer a number of services to support those affected and their children.
“Please come and support SAFE in this vital work. Please see our website for further information.”
SAFE’s Chief Executive, Jacinta Wainwright, said: “Men’s violence against women is perhaps the most serious problem we face, yet it often goes unrecognised, and not nearly enough is being done about it.
“SAFE would like to call upon the men in our community, who for the most part don’t see themselves as part of the problem, to get informed, get involved, and become part of the solution.
“Violence against women is not just a women’s issue – it is also a men’s issue, and a community issue. Men’s violence against women is preventable if we work together. We believe there are huge benefits for men in supporting the prevention of violence and achieving equality.”
The flashmob dance will be led by Sidmouth-based dance instructor Johanna Morgan of JM DanceFit, who formerly taught her Zumba classes in Exeter before moving to focus mainly on the East Devon area. Some of her pupils will be coming to join the dance – along with staff and volunteers from SAFE and other supporters of the cause.
Anyone – men, women and children – are welcome to join the dance, which will take place twice at approximately 2.30pm and 3.15pm. Dancers are invited to wear something red to show solidarity. There will be a practice session at St Sidwell’s Community Centre from 12.30 till 2pm.
For anyone wanting to learn the dance at home, a breakdown of the steps can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=mRU1xmBwUeA
The event will also feature speakers and the chance to find out more about SAFE’s work, as well of that of Devon Rape Crisis who are also supporting it.
For more information on the One Billion rising campaign please visit the official website http://www.onebillionrising.org/
