Domestic violence victims take back power

Artist Peni Edwards, Senior Sergeant David Sutherland, and Constable Phillippa Smith are behind this afternoon's event, which aims to raise awareness of family harm. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR.

A group of nine domestic violence victims will take back the power today, by sharing their stories in a live art event.

Decked in men's white shirts, nine woman will use a billboard as a platform for 'Speak Up, Hear Her, End It' or S.H.E. at Waihoki Creative Arts Village this afternoon.

Organised by local artist Peni Edwards, S.H.E. took shape six months ago, when Hawke's Bay Police Senior Sergeant David Sutherland approached artist Peni Edwards to help Police with an artwork addressing domestic violence against women.

The vision for today's event was one of two Ms Edwards experienced 13 years ago. The other was realised in 2004, when she performed nude in a live billboard statement against rape after she was sexually violated by a home invader.

In the years since she has created art addressing issues of violence, sharing her experience and encouraging others to speak up by breaking the "code of silence" which surrounds it.

This event would continue that theme, as well as to "interweave the private with the public".

"What happens privately in someone's life behind closed doors, isn't just that one person invovled, there are so many other people invovled, and also that you're not alone," she said.

"I want women to see this other women standing there and be inspired by them, and encouraged by them and able to speak out, and cleanse their wounds, and set them free."

Yesterday Mr Sutherland said victims of family harm were often reluctant to speak with police, for a range of reasons.

After speaking with police Family Harm team member Phillippa Smith, "we wondered about trying another way to get the message out there to encourage people to speak up about family harm".

"It's really [sharing] the message of speaking out, letting people know the support is there, and acknowledging all those who happened to have been through this family harm."

There was always help for both victims, and aggressors of family harm.

Mr Sutherland had been the detective who, after Ms Edwards' rape, "walked me through the trauma, going above and beyond anyone else in that field that I've known".

The work S.H.E was dedicated to Mr Sutherland, "for all the girls and woman he has supported, stood by, encouraged and shown enormous kindness to throughout his years and sadly for those yet to come".

Although flattered by Ms Edwards dedication, he said, "you do your best in the role of Police, there's a lot of police officers who would have done the same as I've done."

Organisers of the event had been "touched by how willing everybody has been to help us out", he said, with help from Dove, and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, as well as sponsors including Tumu ITM building centre, Complete Paints, Subway Taradale, Thomsons Suits, Bay Scaffolding, and Everfresh Ltd Transport.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to:
- Hastings Womens Refuge 0800 733 843, or 06 870 6024,
- Napier Womens Refuge 0800 733 843, or 06 843 6515
- Victims Support ( Hastings 873 0543, or Napier 831 0735)
- Maori Womens Refuge 06 878 2042
-The Hawke's Bay Police family harm team 06 831 0700

-S.H.E will be held at 2pm today at the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village, SH50, 1184 Korokipo Road, Napier.