This week marks the start of a 16‑day activism period, beginning on Tuesday 25 November — the internationally recognised International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Local community interest company Victims’ Voice Durham CIC is marking the date by launching its first art exhibition, Red Flags – Art as a Voice, which highlights the often unseen and invisible abuse many women endure in controlling, coercive relationships.
Victim‑survivors have channelled their stories into powerful pieces of art — paintings, drawings, collage, word art, and poetry. There’s even an interactive installation called “Walking on Eggshells,” inviting visitors to engage with the raw emotions and lived experiences behind the art.
“These are courageous and inspiring women who have suffered at the hands of a perpetrator, who have a story to tell, but need to be able to do that without fear or repercussions,” says founder and director Tracy Thompson.
Some works are hard‑hitting and could be distressing. As Tracy explains, the site has included a trigger warning — but given the high rates of domestic abuse in the UK and locally in County Durham, the exhibition intends to make an impact. “We want to educate people about different types of domestic abuse and to understand how it impacts women and children.”
More than that, Victims’ Voice Durham wants to turn pain into purpose. The goal is to give survivors a voice and a platform to share how abuse has affected them — showing the human stories behind the statistics.
The exhibition opened on Tuesday 25 November (11am–4pm) at Consett Heart – Heritage & Arts Centre, The Old Ambulance Hall, John Street, Consett, DH8 5AS. It runs also on:
- Wednesday 26 November, 3pm–6pm
- Friday 28 November, 3pm–7pm
- Saturday 29 November, 11am–4pm
“There has been incredible collaboration with other women’s organisations locally,” Tracy says. “We have been blown away by participants’ enthusiasm. We hope the experience has been therapeutic, empowering and validating for them.”
Victims’ Voice Durham is a not‑for‑profit organisation dependent on funding. From early 2026 it aims to offer support services, including drop‑ins, an empowerment programme, and later both online and in‑person training under the banner “Red Flags Matter”. Their ambition is to help people recognise early warning signs of abuse and offer timely support.
The exhibition is free to visit. Tracy hopes the local community will come forward, attend, reflect, and show support — helping raise awareness about domestic abuse and giving voice to those whose stories remain too often unheard.
Exhibition Details:
📍 Venue:
Consett Heart – Heritage & Arts Centre
The Old Ambulance Hall, John Street, Consett, DH8 5AS
🎟️ Free Entry – No Booking Required
🗓️ Opening Times:
- Tuesday 25th November: 11am – 4pm
- Wednesday 26th November: 3pm – 6pm
- Friday 28th November: 3pm – 7pm
- Saturday 29th November: 11am – 4pm
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