Domestic abuse survivors share stories through art
Free public exhibition to be held at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge on 30 September
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is partnering with Cambridge-based Domestic Abuse Education to host a public art exhibition highlighting the important issue of domestic abuse.
Breaking the Silence: Art Against Abuse returns for its second year on Tuesday, 30 September, and will be held at ARU’s East Road campus in Cambridge.
Free and open to all, the exhibition invites both the public and the ARU community to engage with powerful artwork created by survivors of domestic abuse.
The exhibition will feature a diverse range of pieces, including sculpture, poetry, digital art and portraits, each telling a deeply personal story.
ARU’s Counselling and Wellbeing team, alongside local support services, will be present to offer in-person advice and guidance throughout the day.
Amongst those attending will be The Angels Foundation UK, Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Partnership, Domestic Abuse Education, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS) and Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre, who will there to provide information to students, staff and the public in a safe and supportive environment.
Timed to coincide with the start of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in October, the exhibition is organised in collaboration with Sharon Livermore MBE, founder of Domestic Abuse Education and herself a survivor of domestic abuse.
Sharon is a domestic abuse consultant and has been working closely with ARU’s student domestic abuse ambassadors, whose role is to raise awareness and signpost support, and has spoken at events on campus aimed at students and staff.
“ARU is truly leading the way in recognising domestic abuse as a societal issue and it is a privilege to work with them. Abuse can affect anyone, regardless of their gender or background. One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and it’s vital we broaden the conversation.
“By highlighting survivor stories through art, we hope to raise awareness of what domestic abuse can look like in all its forms and provide advice and support in an inclusive and welcoming environment.”
Sharon Livermore MBE, founder of Domestic Abuse EducationBreaking the Silence: Art Against Abuse will run from 11am-4pm on 30 September in the atrium of ARU’s Science Centre, with support services located nearby in the Helmore building.