In this series of 3 podcasts, Viv Gordon and Emma Bryson talk about Viv's forthcoming project, Restless, which explores what it’s like to be a survivor, and why it’s so important to break the taboo to enable more survivors to talk openly about their experiences.
Episode 1
Spilling The Beans - Emma Bryson and Viv Gordon talk about challenging the culture of silence around childhood sexual abuse
Intro
There are an estimated 11 million adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the UK but we don’t often hear people talk about it, and that’s because it’s very difficult to challenge the culture of silence and shame that tells us we’re supposed to keep it a secret.
But for many of us, that sense of being silenced can be just as difficult to live with as the abuse itself, and having to keep our lives and our memories secret has a huge impact upon our long term mental health and our ability to come to terms with the trauma of our childhoods.
SHOWNOTES
1st Voice - Emma Bryson, survivor-activist and campaigner for survivor rights and interests.
2nd Voice - Viv Gordon, theatre-maker, arts/mental health campaigner & survivor-activist whose work is intended to increase the voice and visibility of survivors of CSA.
- Where do we start?
- How do we talk about CSA?
- What can we do if someone wants to talk to us about their own experiences?
About this Project - www.vivgordon.com/restless #MyLineInTheSand
Restless is an arts activism project about community, visibility and voice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and gender-based violence. At the heart of the project, walking and coastal landscapes offer imagery revealing survivor experiences - of exposure, navigating challenging territory, occupying the edges - and the sea provides a central metaphor of the power of continuous collective action to Make Change.
In September 2020, Viv walked from Steart Point to County Gate along the West Somerset coast developing new writing for the project.
Poetry written about that journey is now being made into a digital artwork She walks... with composer Quinta, Rapper JPDL and artist Lou Sumray.
She walks... is being released on Wednesday 25th November 2020 on the first day of the annual international initiative 16 Days of Activism which runs from Nov 25th to Dec 10th.
Join us for the online premiere of She walks... followed by a live Q&A with the creative team. https://bit.ly/she-walks-launch
WE'RE INVITING YOU TO TAKE PART - #MyLineInTheSand
Want to find out more about the campaign? Watch this video where Viv introduces #MyLineInTheSand and explains how you can get involved.
Restless is supported by Arts Council England SW Project Grants
with additional support from Strike a Light, Activate Performing Arts, Circomedia and Pavilion Dance SW
About Viv Gordon Company - https://bit.ly/vgc-about
Donate - paypal.me/VivGordonCo
