New project from Tyneside theatre company highlights post-separation domestic abuse
The experiences of domestic abuse survivors going through the family court system, and working to rebuild their lives is the focus of a new project, from North Tyneside's Workie Ticket theatre company.
Last updated 14th Sep 2023
The experiences of domestic abuse survivors going through the family court system, and working to rebuild their lives is the focus of a new project, from North Tyneside's Workie Ticket theatre company.
They're launching Walk The Line - which is a series of workshops starting next month - highlighting the issues of post-separation abuse, culminating in a conference in November.
Post-separation abuse is what can happen after a survivor leaves their abuser, and the further abuse they can experience, including financial, emotional and legal abuse - where an abuser uses the courts and family court system to control or manipulate their victim.
JoJo Kirtley - the founder of Workie Ticket - tells us they want to shine a light on the behaviour - as leaving your abuser is often not the end of the story;
"Yeah - leave that person - but it doesn't just end then - especially if you've got children with somebody and you have to have contact with them
"And I think this is the issue we need to try and get across to people - if you're brave enough to leave an abusive relationship it doesn't mean all of a sudden that's it - it ends."
The workshops will include a performance of ‘I Walk the Line’, a play written by JoJo Kirtley about single mother Steph, who sings to block out her abusive ex and remains determined to ‘walk the line’ for her two sons.
‘I Walk the Line’ will be performed by survivor Ashlea Sanderson and directed by Charlotte Ryder.
The play is based on the real life experiences of JoJo;
"I am a survivor of abuse, and I wanted to use my lived experience to try and get this across to people,
"I've never actually admitted it's my story, and I think now is the time to do that - because I do want to empower other women to speak out and talk about it
"Sometimes it doesn't end when you just leave them,
"My abuse hasn't ended and it is continuing - I feel like we need to start talking about this a little bit more."
Following the workshops - will take place across Newcastle and North Tyneside through October and November, end with a creative conference at the Exchange Theatre in North Shields, on the 30th November.
It will be delivered as part of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism to end gender based violence, featuring live performances, an art exhibition, keynote speakers from White Ribbon and Northumbria University, an expert panel discussion and a chance to take part in creating a ‘Walk the Line’ action plan; all produced, presented and delivered by survivors of abuse.
JoJo explains why they wanted to combine theatre work with the workshops and conference;
"It's easy to quote statistics, which people do and that is important as well,
"It's easy to have academics do research,
"But actually to hear real life stories, that's important."
You can find out more about the Walk The Line Conference, and how to get tickets online.
To find out more about Walk The Line, and the workshops, you can email JoJo at workietickettheatre@gmail.com or visit the Workie Ticket website.