Tales of Harassment

Interactive Theatre | In English | Doors open 30 minutes before event start | Duration: 60 mins + 30 mins story sharing

Tickets 15€

At the door 17€

A woman who has had more than her fair share of street harassment is exhausted by the emotional rollercoaster ride that accompanies every rogue d!ck encounter. What starts out as a blue and vulnerable situation quickly spirals into an eclectic exploration of fear, bravado and hilarity. Tales of Harassment (ToH) is a one-woman-ish theater experience with community storytelling and musical components. ToH creates safe spaces for women to share their street harassment experiences.

According to the US Department of Justice, sexual harassment and assault are some of the most under-reported crimes. An estimated 91% of victims are female and 9% male. Nearly 99% of perpetrators are male and approximately 63% are not reported to police. In the two weeks following sexual harassment and/or assault, women may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder such as flashbacks, insomnia, hypervigilance, avoidance, anger, anxiety, and depression. Sexual violence can profoundly impact the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals and communities. Among the coping mechanisms utilized by victims of sexual assault, silence or selective mutism is sometimes a response to navigating random, unprovoked attacks on their persons. Often when victims raise their voices they are shunned, re-victimized, and persecuted. So suffering in silence is sometimes chosen over verbal expressions.

ToH encourages victims of harassment and assault to share their experiences and it seeks to end the culture of victim blaming and shaming that deters victims from seeking help. ToH is a bold, honest, and liberating ride that examines whether performance arts focused storytelling can assist victims with trauma resolution. In therapeutic contexts, storytelling is used as a central component in narrative therapy. This approach enables trauma survivors to externalize their painful memories and experiences, gaining greater control over their emotions and the way they view their trauma. By reshaping their personal narratives, individuals are empowered to reclaim their stories, leading to healing, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of their identity.

Written and performed by Barbie Lazaro