Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a crisis that affects millions of lives in the UK and globally. Wolverhampton’s 1in3 project funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery Project Grant has passionately taken a stand against this epidemic.
Through art, poetry, and public engagement, we have brought the hidden stories of survivors into the light, challenging the systemic violence that continues to affect women, men, and marginalised communities.
The statistics are as shocking as they are heartbreaking. In the UK, domestic violence claims the lives of more than two women per week, while over 2.4 million people experienced some form of domestic abuse in 2022. Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a devastating issue, with 137,000 women and girls in the UK living with its brutal consequences. Globally, over 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM. Child marriage, another cruel violation of rights, continues even in the UK, with some girls forced into unions at 16, well below the age of 18 where full legal protection should exist. Worldwide, 12 million girls marry before the age of 18 each year, thrust into a life of abuse and deprivation, where education and freedom are stolen from them.GBV is not just a problem for women.
Men also suffer, with an estimated 700,000 men in the UK experiencing domestic violence annually. The stigma surrounding male vulnerability often traps them in silence, and mental health struggles lead to shocking outcomes. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45, highlighting the urgent need for support and understanding in male experiences of abuse.The 1in3 project has approached these issues creatively, providing survivors and the public with a platform to engage with their stories through art. Our workshops have drawn talented artists, poets, singers, and thinkers from all walks of life, each contributing their own powerful response to GBV.
These artistic responses will be showcased in our exhibition at the Mander Centre from 4-7 November, offering the public a chance to witness first-hand the resilience and strength of survivors.
We have been fortunate to collaborate with numerous organisations, including WLGBTQ+, Aspiring Future, Hope Heath Town, SNJ Charitable Trust, and Gatis Community Space. While our collaboration with Refuge is not fully developed, we have made great strides in uniting various sectors to address the urgent need for dialogue around GBV. One of the highlights of our journey was the screening of “I Am Sorry” at the #LoveTheReans Festival, organised by Curiosity Productions at the Wild Side Activity Centre. This emotional and raw portrayal of domestic violence had a profound impact on the audience, offering a visceral understanding of the trauma survivors endure.
