WALL OF SILENCE - THE LANTERN
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| Wall of Silence |
For 20 years the Southmead project has provided specialist care, therapeutic and practical, to the victims and survivors of child abuse.
The event opened with an introductory talk from Geoff Gollop OBE, the charity patron of the Southmead project. Before the introduction, the Wall of Silence Exhibition opened for two hours for private viewing for contributors. After the introductory talk, Bristol City Mayor George Ferguson officially opened the event, and began to reflect on the importance of the launch happening here, in Bristol. “I’m proud that this exhibition is launching here,” He began. “But it is important that it is spread across the land.” He added.
Dr Mike Peirce MBE and CEO of the Southmead Project then stood up to help recognise the support and involvement of the charity, with RAVSCA ( raising awareness for victims and survivors of child abuse) and the Wall of Silence. His message was clear, and he spoke from the heart as a victim of child abuse himself: “Help us to help others find their voices”.
Those around the room, like myself, attending the launch of this important exhibition all seemed to share the same feeling, a sense of sadness at what some of these people had gone through, but hope and appreciation that this charity and the Wall of Silence was there to help these people find support and a voice.
The name, Wall of Silence, was there to show how many victims suffer alone and seem to have no voice to speak up with when they were suffering. The name also reflects the nature in which we were told to view the exhibit. “View this exhibition in silence, like the victims and survivors have to do every day,” Mike Pierce added. This seemed only natural due to the sometimes harrowing tales reflected on the wall, but also as a sign of respect to those people who had to suffer for many years themselves in silence. The wall contained images of those sadly lost to child abuse, stories from many who had suffered and poems from those who chose to reflect on what they’d been through via a different medium. Drawings and paintings were also featured on the wall, from many who felt that words weren’t the way in which they wanted to share and portray their suffering.
Dr Elly Hanson was the final speaker before the exhibition was officially open to the public. She spoke on breaking down walls of silence which helped those of us in the audience who didn’t quite understand just what the sufferers of child abuse had been through, to really grasp the ways that child abuse can so easily be covered up. The speech was moving and informative, and revealed the way in which abusers can carry on doing harm, by keeping their victims quiet “Silence, surrounding child abuse can be heard nationally and locally, especially with those who refuse to fully accept child abuse,” Said Dr Hanson.
Finally Carl, the founder of RAVSCA spoke of his inspiration for the Wall of Silence. “Remember those who died from abuse, and remember those who survived,” He said. “This exhibition is dedicated to my friends and all those who have suffered. Think today, what can you do to help end child abuse?”
