ONE BILLION RISING

Thandie Newton appeared on Channel 4 news this week to highlight One Billion Rising  an organisation founded by Eve Ensler to raise awareness to the amount of women affected by rape and violence, which globally is ONE BILLION…and RISING.

One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. The case of the gang rape in India caused global shock and awareness and is very present within all our minds. However such incidents have been and are still occurring for many daily. I only found out about the horrific gang rape  in South Africa because Newton briefly mentioned it within this interview. Both Ladies were young students and both died in the most atrocious circumstances and yet coverage and exposure were at extreme differences. Why is this? Women’s voices need to be heard. This is happening and EVERY case should be exposed so that it remains present and current. In this world of technology things spread fast and seemingly forgotten the same way as other news takes precedence. But not if this organisation alongside V-Day has anything to do with it.

V-Day is a global activist movement whose aim is to end violence against women and girls, promoting creative events to “increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organisations”. This year on February 14^th, Valentine’s Day, they are inviting One BILLION women and those who love them to DANCE in a flash mob and other creative ways to show “our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders”.
Take a look at their powerful short film below.

“Violence against women is a pandemic” says Newton which crosses political, cultural and class lines. The aim of One Billion Rising is to raise awareness and provide ways to tackle the issues that are dominant within each country. The focus in  Mexico, for example  will be on Human Trafficking whilst here in the UK Sexual Education in schools will cover violence in the home and relationships. This is good however they also need to cover relationships with gang members, as this is a bigger subject with its own issues of sexual abuse, violence and power entirely. Revenge Porn also must be addressed.

Re•venge porn,n.- A form of cyber-rape that involves the distribution of sexually explicit photos and/or videos of an individual (either real or photoshopped) on the Internet without permission.  Revenge porn, sometimes called involuntary porn, is usually posted by a scorned ex-lover or friend, in order to seek revenge after a relationship has gone sour. 

Jon Snow asked about the sexualisation of younger women which provided greater insight into the truly harrowing scale of the impact of sexual violence and also into Newton’s own personal experience. Newton revealed girls in South Africa call rape sex. I cannot even fully grasp this. The fear, aggressive attack, violation, shame, guilt that women must feel and carry over no fault of their own is incomprehensible to me. Although this to  them is the norm due to the level of exposure, I cannot help but think their bodies, emotional and mental state must be saying something different, knowing it isn't right. How do you function with trauma, even when you think something is the norm? is a question that popped up in my mind, as well as beginning to think of the extending lines that branch out, whilst agreeing with Newton that how women perceive themselves as a result of abuse is problematic. Here Newton was speaking broadly but also from her own experience as she expressed she was violated and preyed on by directors when she was younger. Jon Snow was clearly taken aback as he heard her answer but went to the next scheduled question. He returned to her disclosure with compassion, and gentle enquiry which was commendable and professional.

Newton opened up to explain she was young, naïve and felt powerless because she didn't feel she had any power within male authority and went further to say if had she known or had someone who spoke up whilst she was entering the industry, her expectations would have been different. The way you are brought up helps to create your compass of self-worth and so much more, however I am now wondering how influential this still is alone, due to the powerful influence of media and technology. There is strength only if the communication is consistent, but so much is conflicting and contradicting.

Snow beautifully linked in Newton’s character in Crash where within she is sexually abused' by a  police officer, played by Matt Dillon  Her openness enabled us to see a glimmer into her shock and panic when she was told she had to wear protective wear for the scene.  I actually felt queasy at that point as the particular scene flashed in my head and I remembered how well she played that part and how violated I felt just by watching it. How much of her emotion and trauma from the past was in that scene? Did Newton feel she could have said no due to her experiences? And did doing it re-live her past experience putting her back in trauma? Where does authenticity stop and begin and how many actresses have felt powerless due to showing authenticity within their characters? I found this 2007 article and well, I'm furious for Newton. Her thoughts and feelings as a person were not taken into consideration for the sake of Art. This was/is exploitation as far as I'm concerned. Paul Haggis should be ashamed of himself. Directors have a responsibility too within the creative process and there was no care.

Abuse, exploitation, violation, rape and violence happens across different borders, cultures and situations. From Congo, Hollywood to work and home,  although extreme differences, the world cannot afford to see this as separate. Newton's honesty enabled me to see the connections within the differences. Regarding Newton's abuse at the hands of directors I want her to press charges for justice. This is how I feel which I could not ignore and wanted to express. However I also have to acknowledge what she does next is her choice and I hope the press acknowledge this also as they love hounding, witch hunting and playing guessing games. She has spoken and that in itself is powerful.

This was a great Interview and I thank Thandie Newton for highlighting this “pandemic” whilst being open and Jon Snow for being Jon Snow. 

Please click One Billion Rising and V-DAY for more information. What will you do this Valentines day?

Now learn the steps

                                   

© Lisa Bent 2013