Outloud CEO and artistic director Finn O’Branagain, assisted by project manager Craig Taunton, worked for one day a week for 10 weeks with boys from Georges Hall and Wattawa Heights public schools to teach them not only about gender equity but creative skills enabling them to write the songs and perform them for video.
“We spend a lot of time talking about violence against women and how it can come in all shapes and sizes – not just hitting – but financially, emotionally, intimidating and stalking,” Finn said.
“It all boils down to not having respect for your partner.
“Everything is done through open conversation with the boys; they talk about their own experiences and ideas but through teaching singing, songwriting and performance skills, we are allowing them to embody the message that violence is unacceptable.
“They take a lot of pride in this exercise, pride as an artist, lifting awareness and having an influence on their peers.”
Outloud also conducts a range of other projects all with the aim of encouraging young people to flourish in their families and community.
Check out the videos entitled ‘All Abuse is Wrong’ by Georges Hall Public and ‘How it Affects the Children’ by Wattawa Heights Public on youtube.
