Nellies’ W.E.A.V group has made a successful start, kicking off the first week of February. Last week we were joined by Sonny B of R3 Collective who facilitated a two week workshop series exploring storytelling and identity using creative writing, spoken word and music as the medium.

Women who stay silent about abuse do so for many reasons; shame, fear of reprisal from systems such as Immigration and Children’s Aid, as well as threats and coercion from abusers. Children who are abused are often told not to tell anyone, that the abuse is a ‘secret’ and that they will not be believed. These messages continue to inundate adult survivors of violence and abuse, and silence is a valuable tool used by abusers and oppressors to have power over their victims.

Speaking out about violence and abuse is itself a form of resistance, not to mention an integral part of the healing process. Oppressed groups have be silenced throughout history, and Nellie’s remains committed to providing spaces for women’s voices to be heard, and bringing those voices to the centre as part of our commitment to Advocacy and Social Justice. Check out this great TED Talk by Chimimanda Adiche, “The Danger of a Single Story.”  In this video Chimimanda talks about the implications and importance of who tells our stories and how they are told:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg]

While the focus of W.E.A.V is on sexual assault, intimate partner and familial abuse, we discuss and acknowledge less recognized forms of abuse such as racism, homophobia and transphobia, ableism and poverty, not just as issues that compound violence but as forms of systemic violence in and of themselves.

With the guidance of Sonny, a skilled story teller, musician and facilitator, women used the arts to give voice to issues that directly affect their lives. Women worked on individual pieces as well as collaborated to create a spoken word piece titled: ‘Poverty’.

For more information about the R3 Collective click here or contact Sonny directly at sonnybeanmusic@gmail.com