Art Exhibit- For Her We Speak: Memory Stone for Rehtaeh Parsons

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Rehtaeh Parsons’ tragic story is known across Canada. After she was allegedly sexually assaulted at a party in 2013, the Nova Scotia teen faced months of bullying and shaming from peers. She died by suicide 11 months later.

Leah Parsons, Rehtaeh’s mother, began painting Nova Scotian beach stones after Rehtaeh’s death, and placed them around her community for others to find. Soon, people around the world heard of the stones, and began requesting them, in order to place them in their own communities as a sign of commitment to ending violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). The stones are painted with vibrant natural scenes and include Rehtaeh’s birth and death dates, and anti-violence messages.

Little, Halton Women’s Place (HWP) women’s shelter and Stephanie Samboo, from Sheridan College, invited Leah Parsons to Oakville. Parsons spoke about the consequences of sexual assault, “victim blaming” and related teen bullying, as well as the importance of supporting victims with kindness and care. The event is named “For Her We Speak:” While many victims of VAWG feel silenced by stigma, bullying or our criminal justice system, this event gives voice to the 1 in 4 Canadian women who report facing violence – most frequently at the hands of someone they know (“Sexual Assault Statistics,” 2016; Canadian Centre for Justice, n.d.). For Her We Speak was conceived by Sheridan professor Nicolette Little, who is researching Leah Parsons’ “Memory Stone” art for her PhD Dissertation.

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The Town of Oakville

The Town of Oakville’s Recreation and Culture Department supports the development of the creative and cultural community in Oakville by providing quality programs and services; enhancing community capacity; and increasing access to programs and services. There are a number of active cultural facilities owned and operated by the town, including the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville Museum and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. There are additional town facilities that have cultural use including four community centres, four seniors’ centres and two youth centres. Oakville is a community where culture inspires, engages and thrives and all residents are engaged in meaningful, diverse and accessible recreation and cultural experiences that foster individual, family and community well-being.