Ventura County is hosting a moving art exhibition that puts the voices of domestic‑violence survivors front and center. The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Art Show, located in the Atrium Gallery of the Ventura County Government Center, features paintings, drawings, and T‑shirts created by survivors who use creativity to reclaim control after trauma.
Art as a Path to Healing
Artist and facilitator Paola Meraz explained that allowing survivors to write messages on T‑shirts gives them a tangible way to express hope and empowerment. “These survivors got to write messages on their T‑shirts,” Meraz said. “Art comes in to give yourself a space to reclaim your power in a moment where you didn’t feel like you had.”
Official Support Highlights Resilience
Brent Nibecker, chief deputy district attorney, praised the exhibit for reflecting both the pain and the resilience he sees daily at the Ventura County Family Justice Center. “I see trauma, I see sadness, but you also see the resiliency of our survivors, which is something we see at the Family Justice Center every day,” Nibecker said.
Survivors Turn Experience Into Advocacy
Program manager Rajima Danish‑Engel, who also survived domestic violence, emphasized the power of lived experience. She noted that peer advocates often turn their own stories into tools that help others navigate the aftermath of abuse. “You can take your trauma and it can be turned into advocacy,” she explained, describing how survivors support those still in crisis.
The exhibit serves as a reminder that survivors are not alone. By sharing their art, they foster a sense of community and encourage others to seek help.
Resources for Those in Need
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential, 24‑hour support. Local agencies, including the Ventura County Family Justice Center, also provide counseling, legal assistance, and emergency shelter.
The art show runs throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed each October, and aims to spark conversation, raise awareness, and connect community members with vital resources.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
