Believe -I know it- Campaign
“Believe – I know it” is a project protesting against sexual assault and demanding the revision of criminal laws to reflect reality.
Tomorrow Girls Troop, Shiawase Namida, Association of Victims to Discuss Sexual Assault and Criminal Law, and Chabudai Gaeshi Joshi Action started this project in the fall of 2016, and the criminal code regarding sexual assault was amended at the end of the Parliamentary session in June 2017. However, this amendment is not sufficient to protect victims, and we must continue to speak up about this issue.
About the art performance video, “Believe March,” in front of the National Diet Building
“Believe March” is a street art performance by Tomorrow Girls Troop. It took place on January 29th. We wore the wing masks that contained messages that we gathered from sexual assault victims and their supporters and marched and danced in front of the National Diet Building to demand the revision. Recently, the issue of rape on university campuses has also been a serious issue. Therefore, after the performance at the National Diet, we moved to the University of Tokyo which is a symbol that represents Japanese universities and where there were issues of rape on campus. We performed in front of Akamon (Red Gate). The theme of the performance was empowerment, connection, support, listening, conveying, and solidarity. The performance included gestures such as holding hands, smiling, and putting hands together.
Believe
-I know it-
The meaning behind the title, “Believe”
Oftentimes in cases of sexual assault, victims are isolated because those around them do not believe them when they speak up about the assault. This not only delays their recovery but the lack of understanding from those around them causes further harm to the victim, resulting in more serious damage. In addition, the current Japanese criminal law seems as though it assumes not to believe the victim’s words or actions.
In order to solve the issue of sexual assault, it is important, first and foremost, for society to support the victim. For that reason, we titled the project, “Believe.”
Tomorrow Girls Troop has conveyed the issue of sexual assault to younger generations through various methods, such as designing the project logo and website, creating an art performance, “Believe March,” and submitting artworks to the exhibition Socially Engaged Art.
About the wing mask
The wing masks are made from white paper and turquoise ribbon. On the reverse one finds messages about sexual assault and the revision of the criminal law that we gathered from the public through our Believe Project workshop. “Why is it only one wing? Wouldn’t you not be able to fly without both wings?” By making the mask only one wing, it signifies the necessity for a counterpart. The masks call for the other wing, which is your help in tackling this issue.
Wing Masks Message Project
There are hand-written messages on the back of each paper mask, which were used as props in the Believe March. The participants of the Believe campaign events wrote their thoughts and opinions to protest against sexual violence. In the Believe March, the members wore the masks and walked around the city of Tokyo, which means the messages are passed and supported from person to person.
Socially Engaged Art Exhibition
We displayed “Believe March” and “Wing Mask” at the Socially Engaged Art exhibition which took place at Arts Chiyoda 3331. We also prepared a community space called “Girls Power Cafe” where those impacted by the issue of sexual assault could have a discussion with Tomorrow Girls Troop members to further understand the issue or to share their personal experiences and opinions. About 1,500 people came to the exhibition over two weeks, and the exhibition provided an opportunity for many people to learn about the problems with the Japanese criminal law on sexual assault.
See more about this exhibition
Socially Engaged Art Exhibition
Design concept
lobbying in Japan, Women’s March in Tokyo, Seoul, LA, Philly and NY
After the project
The “Believe Project” was a collaboration among four groups: Tomorrow Girls Troop, Shiawase Namida, Association of Victims to Discuss Sexual Assault and Criminal Law, and Chabudai Gaeshi Joshi Action. The other three groups worked on lobbying, workshops, and events. After the revision of the criminal law regarding sexual violence, we received the following feedback from the lobbying and the consent workshop team: Although it is difficult for a social movement about sexual assault to appeal to a younger audience due its being a serious topic, we were able to reach out to college students and young adults with this project. Art and design played a large part in bringing in more young people to the project. Art was received positively from younger politicians in lobbying and at assemblies. The art and design made it possible for us to work on the project with a positive attitude despite the seriousness of the topic. Many male college students also supported the project because of the gender-neutral design.
References
Visit our old blog for more info.
Believe Campaign Jan 6th, 2017
Believe March Jan 20th, 2017
Annie H. Jones, “The Tokyo Guide to International Women’s Day 2017,” Japan: Women’s Stories, March 4, 2017.