Students at Taree TAFE raised a ruckus on Thursday, August 31 in the name of breaking the silence on sexual violence.
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The student-led Day of Action against Sexual Assault began with the insistent rhythms of a drum workshop loudly reverberating through the campus.
The drum circle was specifically chosen because of the significance of the sound breaking the silence, and the inclusivity of the circle and the activity.
Following the drum workshop was a presentation by a guest speaker from the Taree Community Health Violence Prevention and Women’s Services team.
Other creative performances and presentations were made on the day.
“The students prepared a short play, which looks at what would happen if people were victims of other types of crimes, like in this case a mugging, were questioned the same way that sexual assault survivors were questioned,” community services teacher, Shirley Kent said.
The students then aired a showing of a powerful DVD they had created themselves, followed by presentation of a poem.
“Again, it is quite powerful. It was actually written by a husband who’s wife was sexually assaulted,” Diploma of Community Services student, James McArthur said.
The aims of the day of action were raising community awareness, acknowledging the resilience of survivors, and acknowledging the workers and support services who walk beside the survivors.
“The idea is for people to speak out, be heard, and gain information and support if they need it,” Ms Kent said.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
