New art show aims to raise sexual violence awareness

A new art show aims to raise awareness about sexual violence in the community.

May marks Sexual Violence Awareness Month and the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre has launched its Impact Unveiled: Beyond the Silence art show.

It’s an event that’s hoping to spark conversations around sexual violence and ways to prevent it.

The centre saw more than 700 calls last year and hopes the new art display will help put a stop to violence.

“This is a place where these conversations begin and I really hope it doesn’t end there,” said Cassidy Mitchell, artist.

“I hope that Beyond the Silence can go beyond these walls and I hope if this can just be one little piece of bringing those stories—those connections—into our community, then that is the whole heart behind this.”

“Simple things that we can do when listening to music, watching a movie together—all those types of things that actually perpetuate greatness within the language that they’re using—is to actually have those conversations about it,” said Kristine Cassie, Chinook Sexual Assault Centre CEO.

“It sounds very geeky, but it starts there. We can do it by practising consent at all times. We can do things like being active bystanders.”

The art show will be on display until September inside the Yates Memorial Theatre Gallery.