Women's Views on News |
| Posted: 11 Feb 2016 01:27 PM PST
A fund to 'rescue' The Archers' character Helen Titchener, who is experiencing domestic violence on the popular radio programme, had raised more than £20,000 for women’s charity Refuge in just over 48 hours and is pushing £51,000 today. Archers fan Paul Trueman set up the Helen Titchener (née Archer) Rescue Fund last week in response to the ongoing powerful storyline in the BBC Radio 4 programme involving the abuse of Helen Titchener by her controlling husband, Rob. It was, said Trueman, time to do something constructive and think of all the women who are genuinely stuck in relationships like this – and much, much worse. Melanie Clarke, who was physically and emotionally abused by her ex-partner, said: “Helen Titchener's story really resonated with me – in many ways it mirrors my experience of domestic violence. “My ex-partner was controlling from the very beginning. “He was constantly suspicious and didn't like me to have friends. He was careful to always be very nice to them, but he made it clear to me that he did not like them and that I shouldn't see or talk to them. If I wanted to go out, he would refuse to look after our three children. “I became very isolated. “Like Rob, he would tell me my clothes were too provocative and would often mock and embarrass me in front of people. “He'd do things like boast about having received better GCSE results than me, and purposefully use words I didn't understand to humiliate me. If I expressed something he didn't agree with, he would shout me down and belittle me. “My ex-partner became very violent, and the control he had over me meant it was incredibly difficult to leave. “Like Helen, I would cover up his behaviour and minimise it to outsiders. “I am glad that Helen's story on The Archers has highlighted the controlling dynamic of domestic violence. “I hope women listening, who may be in similar situations, recognise Rob's tactics and reach out to an organisation like Refuge.” Commenting on the ‘Rescue Helen’ campaign, Refuge’s chief executive Sandra Horley said: “Refuge is incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated to the 'Helen Titchener Rescue Fund'. “We pay tribute to those who have used this fictional character to help real-life women fleeing domestic violence. Raising this amount for Refuge is an amazing achievement. “Refuge is stretched to breaking point. Anything that raises awareness of our work whilst raising much needed funds is wonderful – and vital. “Since 2011, Refuge has experienced a reduction in funding on 80 per cent of its services. “Finding a refuge space is like finding gold dust, and many women are facing a stark choice: flee to live rough on the streets or remain with their abuser and risk further violence or even worse. “As well as raising vital funds, Helen's story has brought the devastating impacts of domestic abuse into the nation's living rooms,” Horley continued. “Rob's controlling behaviour will be all too familiar to the 3,300 abused women Refuge helps every day. “Rob is jealous and possessive; he dictates where Helen goes and what she wears; he has isolated her from family and friends; and he undermines her intelligence and parenting skills. “And as for so many women in Helen's position, the abuse has worsened since she became pregnant. “Listeners have heard Rob purposefully and gradually erode Helen's independence and self-esteem, like water dripping on a stone. “As with many perpetrators, Rob disguises his jealousy as concern and love – he is merely 'protecting her', he says. “To an outsider, Rob may appear the perfect, caring husband. “Yet he is systematically controlling Helen; whilst confusing her with his ever changing behaviour. One minute he is seemingly caring and kind; the next controlling and abusive. A Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personified. “Controlling behaviour is insidious and can be incredibly subtle, which is why a storyline like Helen's is so important. “Helen's experience is a painful reality for millions of women: domestic violence is the biggest social issue affecting women in this country. “Two women are killed in England and Wales by a current or former partner every week; one woman in four will experience domestic violence at some time in her life. “The demand on Refuge's services is overwhelming. Refuge wishes it could do more for women like Helen – but it's hard enough to keep the existing services running. “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the 'Helen Titchener Rescue Fund' – this money will translate into specialist support for real Helen Titcheners up and down the country. “It is essential that services exist to protect women and children – they save and change lives.” You can donate to the 'Helen Titchener Rescue Fund' here. Follow Refuge on Twitter for the latest updates on this campaign. If you are experiencing domestic violence, or know someone who is, call 0808 2000 247 – the free national domestic violence helpline run by Refuge and Women’s Aid.  |
| Exibition: women making comics Posted: 11 Feb 2016 01:09 PM PST
Called ‘Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics’, the exhibtion is at The House of Illustration, at 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross London N1C 4BH. This exhibition gives you the chance to explore the world of comics through original artwork by 100 women comic creators working across genres and generations – from the 1800s to the present day; from observational comedy to surreal fantasy, challenging biography to subversive dissent. From their early incarnations as sequential satires and newspaper strips to today’s countercultural zines, webcomics and award-winning graphic novels, comics have evolved into a complex and powerful literary form. And women have been present throughout this evolution, creating some of the most defining and provocative works of the medium. In presenting the work of 100 innovative creators Comix Creatrix neatly debunks the myth that women had or have a limited stake in the world of comics. Highlighting 21st century work by British creators, the exhibition also recognises ground-breaking works from the 19th and 20th centuries, and makes quite clear the influence of international practitioners on the British scene. On display will be original artwork from graphic novels, comics and zines – many seen in public for the first time. Work for example from acclaimed titles such as Nina Bunjevac's Fatherland and Isabel Greenberg's Encyclopedia of Early Earth as well as self-published sensations like Nadine Redlich's Ambient Comics and many more. SEQUENTIAL, the graphic novel app for iPad, has released a free digital guide to the exhibition featuring over 100 pages of content, and also presented a selection of full-length digital graphic novels on iPads in the exhibition itself. Comix Creatrix: 100 Women Making Comics has been co-curated by Olivia Ahmad and Paul Gravett. The 100 artists are: Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Alison Bechdel, Alison Sampson, Angie Hofmeister, Angie Mills, Anke Feuchtenberger, Anne Harriet Fish, Annie Goetzinger, Art is a Lie, Asia Alfasi, Audrey Niffenegger, Aurélie William-Levaux, Aya Morton, Barbara ‘Willie’ Mendes, Barbara Yelin, Blackjack, Brigid Deacon, Carla Speed McNeil, Carol Swain, Cat O’Neil, Catherine Anyango, Chantal Montellier, Charlotte Salomon, Chie Kutsuwada, Claire Bretecher, Claudia Davila, Corinne Pearlman, Dale Messick, Denny Derbyshire, Donya Todd, Eleni Kalorkoti, Ellen Lindner, Emma Vieceli, Evelyn Flinders, Fay Dalton, Florence Cestac , Francesca Ghermandi, Hannah Berry, Hwei Lim, Isabel Greenberg, Jackie Ormes, Jacky Fleming, Joana Estrela, Josceline Fenton, Julie Doucet, Karrie Fransman, Kate Beaton, Kate Brown, Kate Charlesworth, Kate Evans, Katie Green, Kaveri Gopalakrishnan, Kripa Joshi, Laura Callaghan, Laura Howell, Leela Corman, Leila Abdul Razzaq, Lily Renee, Lizz Lunney, Lorna Miller, Lynda Barry, Lynn Paula Russell, Manjula Padmanabhan, Marcia Snyder, Maria Stoian, Marie Duval, Marion Fayolle, Mary Darly, Maya Wilson, Miriam Katin, Nadine Redlich, Naniiebim, Nell Brinkley, Nicola Lane, Nicola Streeten, Nina Bunjevac, Pat Tourett, Patrice Aggs, Philippa Rice, Posy Simmonds, Rachael Ball, Rachael House, Ramona Fradon, Reina Bull, Reshu Singh, Roz Chast, Rutu Modan, Sarah Lightman, Shirley Bellwood, Simone Lia, Sophie Standing, Suzy Varty, Tarpe Mills, Tijuana Bibles by Horizontal Press, Tillie Walden, Tove Jansson, Trina Robbins, Tula Lotay, and Una. Come and see!  |
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