DAILY ECHO

Saturday, August 31, 2013

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ONE of the major forces behind Emma taking the brave step to exhibit her artwork is to raise awareness for Southampton Rape Crisis. The specialist centre was vital in helping Emma to come to terms with what had happened to her. It provides a range of integrated, specialist services to those who are at risk of or who have been affected by an unwanted sexual experience. The Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Services supports anyone who has suffered abuse, who is considering reporting it or are currently in the criminal justice system, as well as practical support. They also have counselling services, group therapies, creative arts groups and family therapy, to ensure all needs are met. For any advice or support call the counselling helpline on 023 8063 6313, which is open between 7pm and 10pm on Sundays, 10am and 1pm on Tuesdays and 1pm and 4pm on Thursdays.

RAPE CRISIS

news
IN BRIEF

Crash injury
A MAN was taken to hospital after a crash on a busy Southampton road. Ambulance crews were called to the Burgess Road and Thomas Lewis Way junction at 10.18pm on Wednesday after a crash between a motorcycle and a car. They treated the man, who is in his 20s, for a head injury at the scene before taking him to Southampton General Hospital.

Boats on show
A HOST of used boats in various shapes and sizes will be on display at a show next month. The Swanwick Used Boat Show will run from September 13 to 22 to coincide with the PSP Southampton Boat Show. A wide range of pre-owned yachts will be on display throughout the day. For more information call 01489 565444 or email swanwick@waltonmarine.co.uk.

LIFE AFTER RAPE: Artist Emma Townley, and left, examples of her work.
opening up like I never had before, without even realising it. It really saved me, and a lot of thanks goes to my counsellor who got me back into my art. I told him that I used to paint to de-stress before the attack so he took me to the art room and it was from that point I really started talking. My exhibition is showing that people can get through it, there is help and that there are easier ways of dealing with stuff. If just sitting down and talking isnt working for you, there are other ways and I am now looking to get into art psychotherapy so that I can help others the same way I was. takes pride of place in the gallery, a canvas painting which was the first artwork she did following the assault. Emma, who goes under the artistic name Mini T, said: It took a while after the attack to get painting, but one night, I just felt terrible and I saw I had a blank canvas so I just started painting. Most things I can finish in one or two days but this took me ages. I just had to keep going back to add to it. For me it just captures that moment, that night and how everything looked in my head at that time and how I felt. It will be interesting I think to hear what other people see. I can see what it is and friends and family have said that it is quite haunting without knowing exactly what it is. Its meant to be me and reflect just how terrible it really was. It still feels so surreal what happened and even when it was happening it was as if I was looking on from the outside, so thats why the painting looks on from that perspective. I am anxious about showing it but because it is so personal to me it doesnt matter what other people think about it. Some of the photographs are from quite a while ago

Echo picture by Sean Dillow.

and photography has always been a massive passion of mine. But the ones from Dungeness, in Kent, are from the time my friend took me there not long after everything had been reported. It was the most peaceful I had been since the attack, so these are my most important images. It was a crazy and surreal place but it was absolutely fascinating, a place where I could relax and be calm. And if her strength in going ahead with the exhibition wasnt inspiring enough, one of the pieces features a postcard that Emma was determined to use after the quote

on it struck a chord with her, despite everything she has been through. Life is the greatest adventure, Emma says, it really is. I just really loved that saying and wanted to use it. I have had my ridiculous low point but you cannot let it keep bringing you down, you have to keep going. I still get edgy going into town on my own or around strange men and there are still times I dont want to leave the flat.

Annual ball
COLDEN Common-based cancer charity, The Joe Glover Trust, is holding its annual ball on October 12 at the Novotel in Southampton. This years James Bond themed event aims to raise 15,000 to support children with cancer. Tickets are 60 per person, including a three-course meal, table wine and entertainment from local band, The Strand.

Confidence
But if people can see that one person can do it, can try to carry on and accomplish stuff, then hopefully more people will find the confidence and just know there are people out there to help and support in lots of different ways. The thought of knowing people are going through this on their own is terrible and I want my experience to help. The reason I reported it in the first place was to make sure it didnt happen to someone else, it wasnt about me. It was only through the court process that I realised it was such an important thing to do. Some people dont and they end up in a really bad place or are not here anymore and I didnt want that to happen to me. I feel like there is so much in the media and news about rape culture and how girls are attacked when they havent done anything. So from having gone through that myself I just want to raise as much awareness as possible.

Music service
YOUNG people in Southampton who want to learn a musical instrument can now sign up to a local authority scheme. Southampton Music Service is offering musical instruments and help with singing for a wide range of genres for people aged 5 to 18. For more information call 023 8083 3648 or log on to southamptonmusichub.org.uk.

Poignant
Emmas exhibition 25 Greater than 2 showcases a variety of pieces from her collection, created both before and after her attack. The date is poignant as the exhibition will be running on the two-year anniversary of the attack, something which Emma felt was important to show what can be achieved, and a year after her attacker was jailed. The exhibition includes some striking photography, capturing places close to her heart, as well as craft creations, where she has created small worlds and locked them into a frame. But her most personal piece

SHARED BOND WITH EX-SAINT DAN

THE name of the exhibition pays tribute to the special bond she now shares with former Saints player Dan Seaborne who was attacked on the same night as she was. Emma was in the nightclub Junk when the central defender, who now plays for Yeovil, was left unconscious in intensive care after suffering serious head injuries. She said: I had no idea who he was at the time but I followed his story because it took my mind off what had happened to me. My friend then took me to a friendly match to see him play and I really got into the game. When I first met him, I was wearing a shirt with his

ATTACKED: Dan Seaborne.

number on, 25, and he signed it. We have kept in touch ever since. Its helped because someone I have no idea about just happened to have a terrible night the same as me and somehow that helped to keep me going, being able to see how he was getting better. Fortunately for me, my attacker was known and has been convicted but he has no idea who attacked him, which must be terrible. He was so nice to me and it just makes you feel as if everyone isnt out to get you. So thats why I chose 25 Greater than 2, because 25 reflects his shirt number, the two the night we were both attacked, September 2.

Wine tasting
WINE lovers are invited to join the Wallington and Fareham Wine Makers. The group meets at Wallington Community Centre in Fareham at 8pm on the third Tuesday of every month to taste, talk about and drink wine. The next meeting will be held on September 17. For more information or to join, call Alan Clark on: 01329 235 919.

CONTACT ME t: 023 8042 4500 e: melanie.adams@ dailyecho.co.uk