Behind Closed Doors – a focus on domestic violence
Barnardo’s Phoenix Project, based on Bolton, is a community development initiative which provides free and confidential support services to South Asian women, children and young people experiencing domestic violence. The services include one to one work, group work, and residentials. The emphasis is on engaging those experiencing domestic violence to participate in challenging and stimulating activities within a safe environment to build self esteem, and empower them to actively engage in the social, economic and political life of the community in which they live.
In March 2004, an exhibition entitled ‘Behind Closed Doors’ was created by women from the Phoenix Project, in partnership with photographer Poulomi Desai. The work starkly depicts the women’s experiences of domestic violence. The collection of photographs and exhibits is the culmination of a series of photography workshops undertaken by the Asian women to encourage development of skills and help them to overcome their experience of domestic violence.
Barnardo’s Phoenix Project manager Bhaggie Patel was overwhelmed at the positive response to the exhibition, which features a selection of photographs and a number of exhibits, such as a burnt wedding dress and an iron enclosed in a birdcage, highlighting issues such as suicide and honour killings.
We intend to secure financial and other resources in order to tour the exhibition in selected areas around the UK and engage communities in particular Asian Communities in dialogue about the subject matter. The process adopted will be similar to that used by the Babyfather initiative.
The launch also marked the release of an exclusive CD album. Entitled UMANG, the album has been produced by SA RE GA MA in partnership with Tongues on Fire. The album features inspirational and upbeat Bollywood tracks and all proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to Barnardo’s.
