Exhibition supporting abuse survivors

• Published date: 05 April 2024
• Publication title: Oamaru Mail

A collective of local artists is exhibiting works to highlight and raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention this month

Supported by Stronger Waitaki, the exhibition opens today and is part of a first-of-its-kind programme in Oamaru, initiated by artist Dugal Armour, himself a survivor of sexual abuse.

The Ministry of Justice recently estimated more than one in five (23%) of New Zealand adults had experienced sexual assault in their lifetime.

One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. One in five children are solicited sexually on the internet.

Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.

Mr Armour wants to focus on the positive effects when survivors have a safe space to share, using art and their voices as an expression, and to have stronger education about sexual abuse.

‘‘The upside of this, when we look at a statistic of one in five — which is hugely conservative and this is children before the age of 16 — all the other abuse that goes on, all the dysfunction, suicide, eating disorders, prostitution, pornography, incarceration and dysfunctional behaviour; it’s just about raising the awareness, so people can take a more open and hopefully learned approach to just talking about it.

‘‘Think of the opportunity as a society as a whole of alleviating, of removing that.

‘‘[Knowing] that we do have a loving, supportive community.

The exhibition features eight artists — curator Eion Shanks, gallery co-owner Katy Waite, as well as Ingrid Cole, Peter Cleverley, John Mitchell, Martin Horspool, Lynsey Murray and Michael Cooke.

Mr Shanks said ‘‘One in Five’’ represented the statistic of children in this country who would experience sexual abuse before the age of 16.

‘‘Each artist has contributed a work in support of raising awareness, with a portion of the sales going towards assisting other related events, being run concurrently, further effecting positive change within our community.

‘‘This exhibition aims to create a space where we can confront the issue of child sexual abuse, empower open dialogue and challenge societal attitudes and misconceptions,’’ Mr Shanks said.

Oasis Clear Space Gallery co-owner Greg Waite said Mr Armour was a ‘‘very strong advocate’’ for the cause.

‘‘It’s dear to his heart...