They say you can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked in her shoes. This Saturday, December 4 at the Main Branch of the VPL, you’ll get a novel chance to do just that, as Vancouver Rape Relief presents their annual public education event to commemorate the Montreal Massacre with a series of speakers, roundtables, and multimedia offerings. (
Click here for a PDF listing the entire day’s events.)
This “Day of Action to End Violence Against Women” runs from 10 to 6 and is a great opportunity to learn more about the many issues surrounding violence against women, some of what is being done about it, and what you can do.
A signature offering each year is the “Walk in Her Shoes”. It’s an interactive learning experience that lets men and women experience a bit of what it’s like to be a woman trying to escape a violent man in B.C. today.
It’s a sort of “choose your own adventure”-style process where you are given an identity (via an information binder) of a woman in a crisis situation. You make decisions and move to the different stations representing the social worker, the police, etc., Each time, you’re faced with new and often difficult choices. I’ve always found it to be a real eye-opener.
My video “Men at Work: Fighting Sexism”
As I mentioned last week, I’m very proud of this eight-minute epic, a documentary on the men of “Friends of Rape Relief” who donate of their time to support a women’s shelter. Produced in collaboration with Vancouver Rape Relief’s collective, it gives a good summary of what it looks like when men decide to support feminists. It’s polished and professional, informative and very watchable. And yes, it includes a bit of footage of me performing the legendary “Tin Can Song”!
I’ve worked on this film for many months, and it’s having its public premiere at the December 4 event, at 12:30. This will be happening downstairs from the main library concourse – look for information signs or ask anyone to locate the screening room.
Come to both!
If you’d like to do the Walk in Her Shoes, it’s a good idea to pre-register for a specific time. A new Walk commences each half hour, but the experience can take a bit longer than that to get the most out of it. So, if you want to catch my film, the 11:30 walk is a good one to aim for. You can pre-register by calling (604) 872-8212, or come to the main concourse of the VPL on the day and sign up in person.
I hope to see you on Saturday!
Related
As I mentioned last week, I’m very proud of this eight-minute epic, a documentary on the men of “Friends of Rape Relief” who donate of their time to support a women’s shelter. Produced in collaboration with Vancouver Rape Relief’s collective, it gives a good summary of what it looks like when men decide to support feminists. It’s polished and professional, informative and very watchable. And yes, it includes a bit of footage of me performing the legendary “Tin Can Song”!
I’ve worked on this film for many months, and it’s having its public premiere at the December 4 event, at 12:30. This will be happening downstairs from the main library concourse – look for information signs or ask anyone to locate the screening room.
Come to both!
If you’d like to do the Walk in Her Shoes, it’s a good idea to pre-register for a specific time. A new Walk commences each half hour, but the experience can take a bit longer than that to get the most out of it. So, if you want to catch my film, the 11:30 walk is a good one to aim for. You can pre-register by calling (604) 872-8212, or come to the main concourse of the VPL on the day and sign up in person.
I hope to see you on Saturday!