YWCA, Safe Harbor and Firehouse Partner for #MeToo Monologues Event

In response to the galvanizing, empowering #MeToo social media movement that erupted late last year, Firehouse will be offering an evening of #MeToo Monologues featuring victims of sexual harassment and assault recounting their experiences as part of the ongoing effort to expose the insidious nature of sexual coercion and to help continue the culture-changing conversation that the #MeToo movement has inspired.

"We have obviously been aware of sexual violence and abuse for decades," said Becky Lee with YWCA Richmond, one of the partner organizations involved in the event. "But the #MeToo movement has brought a new level of awareness to the kind of harassment a majority of women and many men have been dealing with for years."

"We believe it's important to do our part in highlighting one of the most significant cultural shifts that has occurred in many years," said David Timberline, Community Engagement Manager for Firehouse and a fellow organizer. "Both women and men are grappling with how to re-center their behavior and expectations in the wake of so many people telling their stories of harassment and abuse."

Victims of sexual harassment will recount their stories during the evening that will also feature presentations by therapists and counselors who have worked with those dealing with workplace harassment. Victims who don't want to read their stories onstage can submit them to be read by an actor.

Admission to the event is free but a $10 donation is suggested to support the work of the YWCA and SafeHarbor, two Richmond organizations that provide services to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

"Now that the veil has been lifted, we need to continue exploring the issues brought forward by the #MeToo movement," continued Lee. "We need to continue to listen to these stories, understand what people are struggling with, provide assistance where we can and work together to affect change." There will be a panel discussion following the presentation.

You can submit a story for inclusion in the evening by filling out this online form:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kzvDGBNlN8uYcwD3oM7kZf2TZ7RboAnBgkdoP14r_UY

For more information or if you have questions, please contact David Timberline at dave@firehousetheatre.org or 804.355.2001.

PARTNERS

YWCA Richmond is a 130-year-strong nonprofit organization serving families in Central Virginia. We are on a mission to empower women, children, and their families to live their best lives. We strengthen our community on both individual and family levels through our nationally-accredited early childhood education programming, violence prevention education, and emergency and on-going services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

http://ywcarichmond.org/

Safe Harbor RVA offers comprehensive services for survivors of sexual and/or intimate partner violence including: 24 hour helpline, children/youth services, community education and training, counseling, court advocacy, emergency shelter, and hospital accompaniment. Our team collaborates with survivors to provide support, education and referral information to help survivors meet their goals.

http://safeharborshelter.com/

Firehouse Theatre is an artistic home, a thriving hub of creative activity, and a center for community engagement where new performance work is developed and produced. Since 1993, Firehouse has premiered new plays, created and encouraged new work, hosted emerging and established artists from many disciplines, and has earned a reputation as a center for cutting-edge performance.

http://www.firehousetheatre.org/

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