Hush – a play about family violence

Family violence is an issue that, in too many cases, remains hidden from the outside world. Hush shines a spotlight on this issue by vividly retelling the story of family violence in the words of the perpetrator, the victim and the professionals who become involved.

Described as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘extra special’, Hush will be performed at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland on the 22-27 November by a troupe of Dunedin actors.

“As an actor you are often looking to perform work that is relevant and speaks to and about communities,” says Stuart Young, actor and member of the production team. “This play deals with one of the most important issues of our day - family violence.”

Respondents to a Neilsen Survey of more than 1,000 people in July - December 2009 rated reducing family violence as the number one issue that New Zealand needs to deal with now and into the future.

“The characters in this play are 100% accurate and there are no Hollywood endings,” says Mr Stuart.
“The script has been put together from the actual dialogue of those involved.”

The concept is called documentary or ‘verbatim’ theatre where a play is created to addresses a significant social issue, in this case family violence. During the play the actors use in-ear MP3 player recordings of actual interviews,to accurately repeat the words of their subjects. They also endeavour to replicate their inflections and intonation and, by studying the ‘visual score’ of the interviews, capture the physical gestures of the real life subjects as truthfully as possible.

 The White Ribbon campaign has pitched in to help Hush reach a wider audience, Families Commission White Ribbon coordinator Rob McCann explains. “While family violence reporting has improved, police believe there is still a lot of hidden violence that never comes to their attention, so what we see in the media is only the tip of the iceberg.

 “By promoting this play we hope to bring the issue even further out into the open. Increased reporting of domestic violence shows that as a country we are no longer willing to stay silent, and the recent ‘It’s not OK’ adverts are creating the ‘social permission’ for people to help. This play offers people the chance to see almost first-hand, the consequences of family violence.”

 Even people who know the issue can still be moved by this play.

“When I saw it, it changed me,’ said Mr McCann.

Contact
Rob McCann
Senior Communications and Media Advisor
04 917 7045 or 029 917 7045
rob.mccann@nzfamilies.org.nz

Editors Notes:

• To ensure the safety of audience members following each performance there is a brief post-show discussion, providing an opportunity to ask questions about, and comment on aspects of the production and the process involved
• Hush will be performed at the Maidment Theatre 22-27 November. Tickets cost $25/$18 with concession for groups. Book at maidmentbooking@auckland.ac.nz or by phoning 09 308 2383
• This production has never been performed outside of Otago and will tour in 2011

Key Messages of White Ribbon Campaign:

Violence towards women is unacceptable

It is ok to ask for or offer help

• No violence within families is tolerable. If someone within the family is being frightened or intimidated by the behaviour of someone else, it is not OK. Violence isn’t just the physical, it’s also emotional or verbal behaviour used to control someone through fear. Things we say, or don’t say, contribute to the abuse.

 Men must stand up and provide leadership

• White Ribbon Day is the international day when people, particularly men, wear a white ribbon to show they won’t tolerate, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
• It originated as a men’s movement in Canada and is now part of the United Nations annual calendar (International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women).  The Families Commission took a leadership role in New Zealand in 2006.

 Men are part of the solution

• Whether you are a father, brother, uncle, granddad or cousin – we all want to keep our families safe.  We all want our children to grow up and have happy healthy relationships.
• By simply wearing a white ribbon you can make it clear to other men that you do not tolerate violence against women.
• You can also make sure your home, your business or your sports club is a safe environment where abusive behaviour is not tolerated.
• The White Ribbon Day campaign encourages men to talk openly about family violence, to support men who want to change their abusive behaviour and to challenge comments, statements and actions by men that are abusive.

 Statistics in New Zealand:

• In New Zealand most violence towards women takes place in the home.
• In violence between couples, it is men’s violence that is most likely to cause serious physical or psychological harm.
• An average of 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex partners.
• There are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women.
• One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

The Families Commission and White Ribbon Committee works with multiple agencies and NGOs to coordinate the national campaign. The White Ribbon campaign complements but is separate to the family violence It’s Not OK campaign.