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A play examining control and violence in relationships has been watched by more than 1,000 post-primary school students across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council district, as part of the council's ongoing campaign 'Ending Violence Against Women and Girls' (EVAWG).
Fiona McNaughton and Helen Cranney (Women’s Aid Armagh Down), Newry,
Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Geraldine
Kearns, Patricia Downey (Spanner In The Works Theatre Company), Councillor
Valerie Harte and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Head of Community
Engagement and Relations, Martina Flynn.
The Voice Within, written and directed by Spanner in the Works Theatre Company, follows a teenage partnership and examines the behaviours and attitudes that can lead to control and violence in relationships. The production was specially commissioned as part of the council's EVAWG campaign and each performance was followed by an interactive workshop focused on recognising the signs of harmful and coercive behaviour.
The play was organised and delivered across the council's seven District Electoral Areas and is supported by The Executive Office EVAWG Momentum Funding. The series of performances concluded at Newry Town Hall in February.
Councillor Philip Campbell, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council described the production as a powerful and deeply moving portrayal of the need to end violence against women and girls and commended everyone involved. "The play helps young people understand behaviour that can lead to control and violence in a relationship, with the compelling narrative resonating with them. The Voice Within gave a voice to experiences which are too often silenced," he said.
actors Ashley Montgomery and Neil Heaney, Councillor Oonagh Hanlon
(Downpatrick District Electoral Area Forum vice-chairperson), DEA co-ordinator
Katrina Hynds and Kerry O’Connell (Education Authority Youth Service).
"The play provided an insight into the harmful, coercive behaviour that can lead to women and girls experiencing violence and abuse in their relationship. Such behaviour has no place in society. Women and girls should feel safe at all times."
Cllr Campbell said the council remains determined to tackle the issue and that the play has given students a meaningful insight into controlling behaviour. "The Voice Within sheds a light on experiences that are all too often silenced. It confronts difficult realities, helps educate young people, challenge them and inspire them to play their part in ending violence against women and young girls. Indeed, we can all play our part," he said.
He added that the play serves not only as an educational tool but as a call to action. "We all need to commit ourselves to doing everything we can to end violence against women and girls. The reality of what is happening was brought to life by The Voice Within which, I know, will help make a lasting difference," said Cllr Campbell.
"Women and girls have a right to live free from threat or harm in any shape or form," he added.
