Tackling Sex Violence Through Theatre

A growing number of organizations around the world are using theatre to educate on sexual consent. It is not the only initiative of these characteristics. Soap operas have previously been used during peace and reconciliation processes.

The difference is that, in this case, the powerful are put in the shoes of the disempowered. Brazilian director Augusto Boal developed the concept of 'legislative theatre' in the 90s as a form of 'transforming society'. The idea behind it is to enable an empathy that could create a change.

Kate Wyver portraits in her piece the 'Theatre for a Change' project, a partnership between the UK and Malawi that aims to tackle violence against sex workers.

But these initiatives are not limited to the developing world.

In North Wales, another theatre group works with secondary schools on different topics, such as consent or drugs.

The success is in giving the victims the confidence to report offenses, allowing them to discover their rights.

Another project in Venezuela uses comedy to talk to teenagers about safe sex and consent.

The number of examples goes on, proving, once more, that education is the key to change. The #MeToo campaign might have raised awareness, but abuse will continue unless we do something.