Breaking News: survivors of sexual violence will share personal stories, creative work and messages of hope during a special Culture Night event in Dublin. The project brings together participants who took part in workshops run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Fighting Words.
The performance is designed to give survivors a supportive space to express experiences that are often difficult to discuss publicly. It also highlights the role of writing, music and group creativity in helping people reclaim their voices.
What is happening at Culture Night?
At approximately 7.30pm on Thursday, participants are expected to perform an original song titled Thread of Hope as part of the Culture Night programme. The song was developed during a series of creative workshops held over several weeks at Fighting Words in Dublin.
Twenty-three people attended the workshops. Participants worked together on creative pieces reflecting their experiences of sexual violence, recovery, solidarity and resilience.
The event forms part of a wider programme intended to make culture accessible while creating opportunities for people and communities to tell their own stories. For those involved, the performance represents both a public artistic contribution and a significant personal milestone.
Why the survivor-led project matters
Sexual violence can have long-lasting effects on a person’s health, relationships, confidence and sense of safety. Many survivors do not feel able to speak publicly about what happened to them, particularly when stigma, fear or concerns about being judged remain barriers to disclosure.
A survivor-led creative project can offer a different route to expression. Participants are able to choose how they communicate, whether through lyrics, spoken words, performance or collaborative storytelling.
The workshops also create a shared environment. Rather than asking survivors to tell their stories in isolation, the programme connects people with others who may understand the complexity of recovery.
- Creative expression: writing and music can help participants communicate feelings and experiences.
- Peer support: group work can reduce isolation and build a sense of solidarity.
- Public awareness: performances can challenge silence and encourage more informed conversations about sexual violence.
- Personal agency: survivors retain control over what they share and how they present it.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Fighting Words partnership
The project combines the specialist experience of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre with Fighting Words’ focus on creative storytelling. That partnership allows survivors to work in an environment that is both artistically encouraging and sensitive to the realities of trauma.
Fighting Words is known for supporting people to develop stories and creative work through workshops. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre provides services and support for people affected by sexual violence, including information and assistance for survivors.
Bringing those areas of expertise together means the workshops are not simply about preparing a performance. They are also about creating a structured, respectful process in which participants can decide how they want their experiences represented.
Culture Night provides a public platform
Culture Night is an annual celebration of arts, heritage and creativity across Ireland. Events take place in venues and communities throughout the country, giving audiences opportunities to experience performances, exhibitions, talks and workshops.
For this group, the Dublin performance adds a specific social dimension to the programme. The participants’ work places survivor voices at the centre of the event while inviting audiences to consider the personal impact of sexual violence.
The performance is not being presented as a substitute for specialist support or formal services. Instead, it offers a carefully prepared cultural platform where survivors can communicate on their own terms.
What audiences should understand
People attending should approach the performance with respect and sensitivity. The stories and creative work may involve difficult themes, and audiences should avoid treating personal testimony as entertainment detached from the people who created it.
The event also carries an important reminder: survivors should not be expected to disclose details in order to be believed or supported. Every person has the right to decide whether to speak, what to share and when to remain private.
For anyone affected by sexual violence, support is available through specialist organisations including the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. People in immediate danger should contact emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
When will the performance take place?
The participants are due to sing Thread of Hope at approximately 7.30pm on Thursday during Culture Night.
Who took part in the workshops?
Twenty-three people who have experienced sexual violence attended the workshops.
Where were the workshops held?
The workshops took place over several weeks at the headquarters of Fighting Words in Dublin.
What is the project about?
The project uses creative writing, music and collaborative storytelling to help survivors express their experiences and share messages of hope.
A significant moment for survivor voices
The Culture Night performance offers a rare public opportunity for survivors of sexual violence to present work created collectively and with care. Its significance lies not only in the song or the event itself, but in the process that enabled participants to shape their own narrative.
As Ireland Today coverage continues to focus on social issues affecting communities, this project brings attention to the importance of survivor-led storytelling. The clearest takeaway is that creative spaces, when properly supported, can help people move from silence towards connection, agency and hope.
