Sexual violence survivors in Dublin are preparing to share original songs, poetry, writing and artwork during Culture Night as part of an initiative designed to help participants reclaim their voices in a safe and supportive setting.
The WeSpeak.ie Live project, created by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) with creative organisation Fighting Words, brought 23 participants together for a series of workshops. The programme explored songwriting, illustration, poetry and storytelling, giving survivors the opportunity to express their experiences on their own terms.
Sexual violence survivors to perform and exhibit work in Dublin
The workshops will culminate in an exhibition and live performance at the Hen’s Teeth venue in Dublin 8 on Culture Night. The exhibition opens at 1pm, while the performance is scheduled for 7pm to 9.30pm. The live event is sold out.
Among the pieces created during the workshops is Thread of Hope, an original song co-written by participants. Other works include individual songs, written pieces and visual art, including an artwork titled Slow Violence.
Dublin participant Coley McManus will perform her own song, Deep Breath, and also sing on Thread of Hope. She said songwriting provided a way to communicate difficult experiences through metaphor and lyrics rather than having to describe them directly.
“The power of creativity is so important for healing,” McManus said, describing the workshops as a safe space where people could share without pressure.
She said the group included people from different age groups and backgrounds, creating an environment in which participants could recognise shared experiences while retaining control over what they chose to disclose.
- Twenty-three people took part in the creative workshops.
- The programme was delivered by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Fighting Words.
- Work included songs, poetry, stories, illustrations and other artwork.
- The exhibition takes place at Hen’s Teeth in Dublin 8 on Culture Night.
- The DRCC national 24-hour helpline is 1800 77 88 88.
Why the WeSpeak.ie Live project was created
The initiative grew from the DRCC’s experience that many people who have experienced sexual violence never contact a helpline or tell anyone close to them. WeSpeak.ie provides an anonymous and secure online route for survivors to share their stories in their own time and words.
WeSpeak.ie Live extends that idea into a creative, in-person setting. Rather than asking participants to recount events in a formal or public way, the workshops allowed them to decide how they wanted to communicate, whether through music, writing, visual art or performance.
Edie Cunningham of the DRCC said the workshops had helped participants grow in confidence and take ownership of their voices. The project also demonstrated how survivor-led storytelling can raise awareness while respecting privacy and personal boundaries.
Consent remains valid when alcohol or drugs are involved
One participant, who uses the name Philomena, said writing had supported her during recovery from addiction. She also wanted to use her experiences to help others understand that sexual consent does not disappear when someone is intoxicated or has taken substances.
Her contribution highlights an important message in sexual violence prevention: a person’s body remains their own, and consent must be freely given. Intoxication can affect a person’s ability to make or communicate a decision, but it never gives another person permission to sexually assault them.
Philomena said the project could help challenge misunderstandings among women affected by addiction who may not identify what happened to them as rape. She has since progressed to writing plays and hopes the workshops mark the beginning of further creative work.
Fighting Words workshops focused on choice and support
Colm Quearney, outreach co-ordinator with Fighting Words, said the sessions produced moments of growth and mutual support. He observed participants gaining the confidence to read or sing their work themselves instead of asking someone else to present it for them.
The structure of the workshops allowed people to participate at different levels. No one was required to disclose more than they wished, and creative expression could provide distance from painful subject matter while still communicating its emotional impact.
Participants in the songwriting sessions created individual pieces as well as collaborative work. Deanna Alexandria wrote one song, co-wrote another and contributed to Thread of Hope with the wider group.
If you have experienced sexual violence and need support in Ireland, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre operates a national 24-hour helpline on 1800 77 88 88. Further information and online support are available through the DRCC and WeSpeak.ie.
What happens next on Culture Night?
The exhibition at Hen’s Teeth will give visitors an opportunity to view artwork created through the programme, while the evening performance will bring the songs and written work to an audience. Because the performance is sold out, the exhibition provides the principal public opportunity to see the project’s creative output.
The event is also intended to show that survivor stories can be shared in ways that are empowering rather than exploitative. The participants remain at the centre of the work, with creative choices helping determine what is communicated and how it is presented.
Frequently asked questions
What is WeSpeak.ie Live?
WeSpeak.ie Live is a Dublin Rape Crisis Centre initiative that brings survivor-created stories to life through creative workshops, an exhibition and a live performance.
Who took part in the workshops?
Twenty-three people with experiences of sexual violence participated in workshops run with Fighting Words.
Where is the Culture Night exhibition?
The exhibition is being held at Hen’s Teeth in Dublin 8 and opens at 1pm on Culture Night.
How can survivors get support?
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s national 24-hour helpline can be reached on 1800 77 88 88. Survivors can also access information through the organisation’s website and WeSpeak.ie.
A creative message of recovery and control
The WeSpeak.ie Live project places survivor choice at the heart of Culture Night. Through music, writing and visual art, participants have created work that reflects pain, resilience and recovery without surrendering control over their own stories.
For readers following Breaking News Ireland, the event is more than a cultural listing: it is a reminder that safe creative spaces can help people be heard while respecting their right to privacy. The central takeaway is clear—survivors should decide if, when and how their experiences are shared, and support must remain available at every stage.
