Jet Moon, artist, activist and founder of oral history project Resilient and Resisting, held a reading at Hackney Museum on Thursday, sharing survival stories of domestic violence and abuse.
“Our stories: part of 16 days against gendered violence” is part of the UN’s campaign to eliminate gender-based violence against women and girls. Consisting of shared personal stories of sexual abuse, domestic violence and rape, Moon’s reading sought to start conversations and create an open space for those feeling isolated.
Moon, who has had experience of trauma from domestic abuse and queer identification, among other things, said: “Sharing such stories means lessening the stigmas around the subject and thereby lessening violence.”
Moon started collecting the stories as a process of survival after falling ill last year. Learning about other people’s experiences from her own communities and friendships, and collaborating to help write them, intended to show people they were not alone.
Six stories, covering issues of racism, homophobia, sex work and transgender identity, were read by six people who had not written them.
Melina, 30, who is a sex worker in London, was one of the readers. She had shared her story before, but wanted to read someone else’s story this time: “I think it’s really beautiful to have stories that are not conventional, not part of the mosaic of society and not in everyday publications. (It’s) good to have that – these are the voices people don’t hear.”
Laura Kostas, 20, who was at the event and works as a waitress, said: “I think I can relate to the stories. I think it’s difficult not to relate, every woman has had some bad experiences. Listening to each other is very important.”
The reading was part of a series of events under the Resilient and Resisting project, started by Jet Moon in April 2018. The project looks to share stories of all marginalisation: disabled, queer or any other. Resilient and Resisting is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, under the wing of Arcola Participation.