We’re launching our first Zine!

In May last year, members of our women’s group support programme welcomed the Mockingjays from RASASH (Rape and Sexual Assault Service Highlands) for a zine workshop. The Mockingjays are a group of survivors of sexual violence who lead creative activism workshops. Across a couple of sessions, group attendees created a zine sharing their experiences of healing and coping with sexual violence and also fighting against rape culture and patriarchy. Participants were given a pile of magazines, some stickers and some scissors & glue and were given free space to express themselves.

TRIGGER WARNING: Due to the nature of sexual violence, the Zine may be quite triggering. It’s important to look after yourself and give yourself space to acknowledge difficult emotions.

The group facilitators described the sessions as collaborative and that the activity invited some really powerful conversations. There was a really strong community feel and it gave the survivors attending the sessions space for connection. Although each of their individual experiences may be really different, there was a shared understanding and they came together and stood in solidarity with one another to create the zine.

“It felt really powerful the act of cutting up magazines, which can often relay outdated, disempowering stereotypes of what a woman should be and do, and reclaiming that in a healing and empowering way and survivors rewriting the narrative.” - Quote from workshop facilitator

About Survivor Voices

Moray Rape Crisis is founded as a service on the need to provide a space for survivors’ stories to be held and heard, whether it be through providing safe, respectful therapeutic spaces for survivors to tell their stories in their own words and at their own pace, or through activist campaigns calling for justice, change and an end to sexual violence and gender inequality.

Survivors tell us that being able to give voice to their story, to speak their truth, whether through poetry, writing, art, or whatever means feels authentic and safe for each survivor, helps lessen the shame, stigma, and sense of aloneness they have carried, and often felt silenced by, perhaps for many years. Our Survivor Voices campaign aims to honour the power of survivor voices in creating change, both individually and societally.

The power of survivors coming together, building connection, speaking out and standing together in solidarity can never be underestimated. Social movements are formed of it. Change happens because of it.

Creative workshops give survivors the opportunity to explore their experiences in a different way than traditional talking therapies and can be freeing and empowering for survivors to channel their experiences into artwork or literature. One of the survivors involved in producing the Zine reflected that they:

“found the whole journey through this project interesting and really inspiring. For me, creating “my” page and exploring creativity through this medium was freeing and therapeutic even if it was at times challenging… seeing my words is empowering, as was see all the other women’s pages. All the individual pages gathered together created something that is bigger than it’s whole and more powerful for that… reading other’s pages made me feel less like ‘it’s just me’ or ‘i’m alone’.”

While creating can be empowering and a helpful therapeutic tool for some, it’s important to acknowledge when creating or consuming art or literature that difficult emotions may arise. It’s important to acknowledge the emotions and give yourself space and time to process these emotions.

TRIGGER WARNING: Due to the nature of sexual violence, the Zine may be quite triggering and we want to highlight the importance of looking after yourself.

If you are affected by any of the stories or artwork there are several things you can do to help ease the difficult feelings. You could try some grounding exercises or breathwork, some gentle movement or reach out to trusted friends or family to talk through your feelings.

You can contact Moray Rape Crisis for support by phone or email

• 01343 550 407
• contact@morayrapecrisis.scot

For more immediate support you can also contact the Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline, open each day from 5pm to midnight.

• 08088 010302
• 07537 410027
• support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
• www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/help-helpline/

Zine

You can view the zine through our online gallery or download a digital copy of the zine.

Contact Us

No matter what happened, it is not your fault. Whatever happened, no matter what you were wearing or how you were behaving, you are not to blame. If someone has harmed you, it is not your fault. The person who harmed you is responsible.

If you are affected by sexual violence, in any way, whether recently or in the past, Rape Crisis is here for you. We provide free and confidential support, which is tailored to your needs, and you are always in control of what you share with us.

We are here to listen to you, support you, believe you and respect you. Your feelings are valid, and you are enough.

You can contact Moray Rape Crisis for support by phone or email

• 01343 550 407
• contact@morayrapecrisis.scot

Inspired by the Zine?

Have the zines inspired you to take action and stand up against sexual violence? Why not donate or fundraise in aid of us?

Fundraising and donations make a huge difference to our work. All donations go towards delivering our frontline services and the support of over 200 survivors each year. They help sustain vital services and raise awareness of the impact of sexual violence and how we can help.

You can donate on a one-off basis or set up a monthly payment!