Art is often used as a means of making statements and exploring topics — especially those that are difficult.
This week, Genesis House is harnessing the power of creativity to begin a discussion designed to tackle the myths and misconceptions that surround sexual assault.
The exhibit, which will be on display at Winkler Arts & Culture from June 24th to 25th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., conveys its message through clothing, which is commonly used to ascribe blame to survivors of the crime.
A ‘dangerous’ message
For Taylor Goerz, Genesis House’s sexual assault intervention coordinator, the exhibit addresses a vital conversation.
“Society has been sending a really dangerous message that women are responsible for preventing their own assaults rather than holding perpetrators accountable for their actions,” she says.
“Statistically, we know that 30% of women Canadians aged 15 plus have experienced some form of sexualized violence in their lifetime. We're hoping that this art installation can really create conversation within our community that this is happening.”
Echoes of real stories
As for the structure of the display, Goerz says mannequins that depict “an array” of women, children, and men will be fitted with everyday clothing.
“They will all be holding signs saying, ‘This is what I wore,’” she says.
The clothes on the mannequins are not just fabric and threads — they represent some of the real clients that Genesis House serves in the region.
“These are real people, and these are their real stories, and we want to be able to depict it in the community to show strength because it's empowering for them to be able to go out and say, ‘Hey, this happened to me and let's talk about it,’” she says.
“We understand that shame really breeds in silence.”
Impactful outfits
For Goerz, the outfits that the mannequins will don for the installation bring the weight of their meaning into sharp focus.
“We have one that is fully dressed as a nurse because it was during work hours,” she says. “For the male, we have someone dressed up as an athlete, so he's in his full golfing attire, and for the child, she's in her pyjamas because it happened during bedtime. I think it shows the innocence of a child.”
At its core, for Goerz, the message of the sombre installation is that no matter what people choose to wear, they are not responsible for sexual assault.
“The perpetrator needs to be held accountable,” she says. “It's up to the perpetrator to stop.”
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A new role at Genesis House
Apart from being involved in Genesis House’s installation, Goerz plays a crucial role in the organization and the community as the sexual assault intervention coordinator.
The position has just recently been added to Genesis House’s programming thanks to funding from the Aurora Foundation, which supports victims of crime and those who experience victimization.
“[Aurora] approached us and asked us if there was a project that we’ve been thinking about, and ... this has really been on the back burner for about six years, so when they approached us, we said, ‘Okay, we have an idea.’”
From there, the role of sexual assault intervention coordinator, which Goerz described in an earlier interview as a “survivor-driven” resource for those who experience sexual assault, was born.
The project will last for three years.
Early impact
Approximately two months into the initiative, it has already had an effect on the community.
“We weren't expecting things to pick up and just start running. We thought we'd have some time to ease into this,” says Ang Braun, the executive director of Genesis House.
“That’s sad, and at the same time, it shows that the need was there.”
One silver lining is that community support has cropped up for Genesis House as it takes its next steps.
Braun says that organizations such as Boundary Trails Health Centre, clinics in the area, the RCMP, local police stations, Swan Lake First Nation, and Roseau River First Nation have expressed interest in partnering with Genesis House for its sexual assault intervention resources.
“[They want to ensure that] everyone has an option for safety and disclosure and feeling heard and valued,” she says.
To learn more about Genesis House and the services it provides, click here.
- With files from Jayme Giesbrecht -