Us

Hi! I'm, Megan Bowers-Vette. I have spent the last 12 months photographing and collecting the portraits and stories of 50 men and women from NZ and Australia who are living with the experience of rape, and other forms of sexual abuse. These images and words are bound together in a beautiful photo book titled "Us"

The Us project was formed after I started thinking about how society reacts, supports or damages people who are survivors. The raw and sometimes brutally brave stories in this publication highlight what the world is like or those who have experienced abuse. It is an honest study of issues around the ever-changing mental health status survivors endure. It discusses issues such as self blame, and the presence of abuse's effect on love, relationships and the foundations of family.

The book will be helpful to many in society who wish to understand the mind of a survivor. From experiencers who wish to find validity in how they have reacted to what they have been through, to those who seek to understand their loved ones and offer the right kind of support. The publication gives voice to an experience society doesn't want to acknowledge, and in doing so validates survivors, letting them know their voice is important. It provides a safe space for truth.

I am is seeking help to fund the first print edition of Us. This book will accompany an exhibition of the same name, which opens at Whangarei Art Museum late August 2017, before it visits other galleries around New Zealand and Australia.

Help me give a voice to survivors.

For updates on exhibition times and book pre-sales:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usproject2017

Website: https://www.usproject.online/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usproject2017