First Chair

It is my hope that through creating this film, I am able to explore some of the deep seated issues that surround domestic violence, from reasons, to damage, to survival, and help generate further discussion on this matter. I am someone who has personally experienced and witnessed how domestic violence has affected women and their families, but more importantly, I have seen how survivors are eager to show that they are more than just their trauma, and are complex, fully feeling actively moving people.
My research has suggested to me that many abusers who have had abuse perpetuated on them led them feel that it is normal or unavoidable to continue that cycle, and that those in power should maintain that power by blunt force. It is unknown to me if they would be able or willing to know those views are wrong, as any hint of questionings from myself or other family members has not yet led to noticeable change. However, I do hope that others who are in close proximity to abusers or abusive beliefs can begin to recognise the dangerous and perfidious thought patterns that lead to further domestic and family violence.
I want to therefore look at what are the larger reasons that cause perpetuators to hurt women this way? I aim to look at the effect it has, at dealing with the experiences, and at ideas of shame, embarrassment, questionings of cultural norms, and personal and internal conflict. I am interested in exploring the perceptions of society to lived experiences. What do you think society says about them in relationship to their body, their choices? What is the truth of it for someone with lived experience? What are the perceptions of society to lived experiences of real women? What do they think society says about them in relationship to their body, their choices? What is the truth of it for someone with lived experience, and what are the larger reasons that cause perpetuators to hurt women this way? I hope that this piece explores an intersection of the diversity of experience that comes with the tumultuous terrain of the struggle, and to understand that public and private masks want us to seek belonging, acceptance, and forces us stay in situations that are unhealthy and damaging.