Loud Fence a show of solidarity

SURVIVORS and their families transformed the Loud Fence located at St Therese Catholic Church in Torquay into a colourful display of solidarity for those impacted by sexual abuse on Saturday.

The Loud Fence movement started in Ballarat during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse but has since gone global and now represents all survivors of sexual abuse.

Local Loud Fence coordinator and Institutional abuse survivor Merrin Wake said the need for solidarity and visual support can be crucial around this time of year.

“Lots of people are disconnected from their family because of what went wrong,” she said.

“It can be a tough time of year when you see everyone getting together with their family and you may feel like it is not a time to celebrate.

“We know that this time of the year we often lose survivors.”

Ms Wake said this year the community support was very apparent leading into the event which was heartening.

“I had community members who were going away or didn’t want to go public drop ribbons at my house,” she said.

“I was really amazed and overwhelmed.”

The purpose of the Loud Fence movement is to show that survivors are stronger together which gives symbolism to an often hidden pain endured by many.

“For me it was a tough day,” Ms Wake said.

“I have huge amounts of support and have done a lot of healing but the biggest thing for me is worrying about people who don’t have that.”

Ms Wake said despite the positive community response, the ribbons were removed 24 hours after being tied on the fence and she would like to have seen them stay there for longer.

“It is pretty hurtful the fact that I tied a ribbon for a local family who lost their daughter two weeks ago and it is already gone,” she said.

“I started emailing, calling, showing up at sites and no one responded until a Bishop at Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne replied saying that it’s a complex issue but they are very supportive.”

Last year St Therese Catholic Church turned the ribbons into ashes and planted them in the soil along with a tree as a symbol of healing and transformation.

Ms Wake said she believed the quick removal of the ribbons perpetuated the idea that being a survivor was shameful.

“There are a few survivors who have said they are exhausted – it is just another kick in the guts but, for me, it makes me want to be more vocal,” she said.