RISE UP against sexual violence and victim blaming in Ottawa 

The Ghomeshi Effect takes part in fundraiser event for the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre at Orange Art Gallery on August 19th, 2016

RISE UP is a night to raise awareness and dispel myths around sexual assault and raise our voices in support of survivors while celebrating their strength and courage. Hosted by international comedian DeAnne Smith, this one-night-only event takes place at Orange Art Gallery, 290 City Centre Avenue in Ottawa, on Friday, August 19th, 2016 from 7pm to 10pm.

“I’ve come across so many people who have experienced sexual violence, and it’s disheartening the way the system deals with these incidents. We need better support for victims, otherwise people aren’t going to want to come forward and speak up. After my experience dealing with the legal system, I can understand why such a high number of people don’t want to come forward. And I want to take steps to change that,” says Shannon Fournier, Director of RISE UP.

The Ghomeshi Effect is a verbatim dance-theatre piece that tackles sexual violence in Canada, particularly how it is handled in the justice system, through an edited series of documented interviews, and uses dance to inform and interrogate the language used in the discussion of sexual violence. Created and directed by Jessica Ruano, this new production premieres at The Gladstone from January 19-28, 2017.

“It also helps if you’re white. It also helps if you are at least middle class, it helps if you are not a sex worker, it helps if you are not, you know, if you are not like a stripper, or anything else. You know. That’s the perfect case. It helps, you know, if you’re a virgin before that, or if you’re, you know, all these things, like god forbid, you’re an indigenous woman in this country and you get raped. Like, good luck, I’m so sorry.” – The Ghomeshi Effect, Interview #10

All proceeds from the evening will go to the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, a registered Canadian charity that focuses on supporting women survivors, raising awareness, empowering community, and pressing for changes in our systems.

Speakers include Attorney General the Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Councillor Catherine McKenney, civil lawyer Blandie Samson, and sexual assault survivor and advocate Hannah Kurchik.

Tickets are $50 each and will include a beverage and canapes from El Camino, Datsun, and Topper’s Pizzeria.

Visit www.riseup.space for more details and to purchase tickets