A submission to Projects for Peace - an initiative to design projects which promote peace and address the root causes of conflict. The project focuses on domestic violence in Savannah, GA, proposing a series of programs and training for survivors of domestic violence and construction of an art installation that would promote awareness of and empowerment for those affected by domestic violence.

Timeline

09/10/18 - 11/15/18

Role

UX Research, UX Design, Content Strategy

Deliverables

Process Book, Written Proposal, Budget

The Problem

The issue of domestic violence is one of the main targets of the UN’s fifth Sustainable Development Goal: Gender Equality. It can happen anywhere - including Savannah, GA. In 2017, the Savannah Police Department received 4,117 domestic disturbance calls and reported 883 victims of domestic violence. As students living in the area, my team became passionate about addressing this issue in the community that we love.

The Root Causes of Domestic Violence

As part of working for Projects for Peace, the first step is to identify the root causes of conflict. Domestic violence can result from economic circumstances to major life changes. Abusers may have learned to express themselves through violence at a young age or become abusive as a way to maintain control. Regardless of how it begins, domestic violence can happen to anyone, and it is important to empower those affected by it and educate the communities it occurs in.

Baring These Walls: Using Art to Address Domestic Abuse

The project focuses on designing and executing an art installation centered around domestic violence to raise awareness about the issue within Savannah, promote existing resources for vulnerable populations, and empower victims and survivors through the creation of the exhibit.

Because domestic violence can occur in any home, the art installation - named “Baring These Walls” - is set up like a house, with paintings, recordings, and various art pieces made by survivors of abuse on display. Viewers are encouraged to interact with the space in order to reveal these pieces and understand the experiences of those who have suffered and allow them to tell their stories in a safe, public space.

NGO Partnerships

The success of all Projects for Peace proposals stems from partnering with local NGO’s that are well-versed in the problem space. My team got in touch with two organizations in Savannah - Safe Shelter and Park Place Outreach - that provide shelter and resources to those facing domestic violence. Our partner organizations are vital to the success of the project since they are the main connections to survivors and they offer a level of expertise of the educational content and statistics present in the installation.

Survivor’s Journey

The most important part of this project is including stakeholders involved with domestic violence from beginning to end. They will co-curate an experience that reveals the prevalence of abuse in society, emotionally connect the audience to victims, and promote appropriate resources to the general public. In addition, we planned to organize workshops geared towards connecting survivors with the appropriate resources, inviting experts on the issue, and providing effective communications between organizations.

Promotional Material

Using digital and printed materials, we will advertise the event online through social media channels, such as Facebook, as well as placing posters and flyers throughout Savannah in local stores to reach out to residents. Throughout the project, we will digitally document the creation process, as well as the opening and closing receptions for the art installation, which will be uploaded online.