Art show explores domestic violence

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This article was published 12/11/2021 (1602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A North Kildonan resident is breaking the silence on domestic violence.

Zita Somakoko, a domestic violence survivor and advocate against gender-based violence, hosted the first Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence community forum in 2018.

“The event was born in the heat of tragedy,” Somakoko told The Sou’wester. “I was watching the news in 2015 and a woman was killed, gunned down, by her ex-husband.

“I lost it. I started wailing. I just couldn’t believe we are still dealing with this and it’s normal, just a split second on the news. Picture and then gone.”

Somakoko’s forum began as a simple conversation before turning into the art show it is today.

“Music speaks to our soul and every piece of art is a type of communication,” she said. “What I try to do is find any way possible to draw attention to this issue.”

This year’s Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence exhibit will open Nov. 19 at the Canadian Mennonite University’s MHC Gallery, located at 610 Shaftesbury Boulevard, beginning at 7 p.m.

Those interested in attending must provide proof of vaccination. The opening  ceremony can be viewed on Zoom.

The showwill run until Jan. 15, 2022, and features over 30 artists highlighting the plight of domestic violence in Manitoba. While the MHC Gallery exhibit focuses on visual art, there will also be workshops, presentations and performances, including poetry, dance and music.

Every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. From January to June 2021, Manitoba recorded five deaths, and last year saw the highest number of sexual assaults amongst youth. Winnipeg Police Service also recorded 1,695 domestic violence victims during the pandemic.

“That’s not even Manitoba, so imagine the numbers province-wide,” Somakoko said. “We talk about our province having the highest number of violent crimes in the nation. When we say this, people think vandalism, drugs or gangs, but 85 per cent of these are actually domestic violence related.”

Somakoko believes the issue isn’t getting enough attention when talking about crime, and that’s what her forum is all about.

“Every year, I’m looking for activities that will pull people into this conversation and shine a light on the reality about violence against women and girls in our province,” Somakoko said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have violence against men and boys, because we do, but the highest rate is against girls and women.”

Aside from the exhibition and performances, workshops are tailored toward youth, the media and Winnipeg Police Services.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/breakingsdv