Naming the invisible: Abuse in the focus of art and science

Weingarten - On May 7, the exhibition "Art against Abuse" by artist Nessi Nezilla opened in the foyer of the main building at RWU. Accompanying lectures, including one by CDU state chairman Manuel Hagel, made it clear how important it is to address the issue of abuse in the public sphere and to deal with it consistently.

Welcoming around 150 visitors, Rector Professor Dr. Thomas Spägele emphasized the role of art and science in drawing attention to uncomfortable topics. The exhibition's glowing red installations show photographs of places where sexual abuse has taken place. "The task of art is to point the finger and draw attention," says artist Nessi Nezilla. "But we also have to think carefully about what we can show. How will the victims deal with it when they see the pictures in the exhibition? We had to consider many levels."

Inspiration from politics and crime prevention

In addition to the photographs, there is also a Plexiglas cross on display that has been filled with pacifiers. The pacifiers symbolize childhood, innocence and the protection of children and draw attention to abuse in the church environment. Nezilla explains that every child is potentially at risk, right from birth. The photographs in the exhibition show ostensibly everyday places: a child's bedroom, changing rooms, a church hall, a forest hut, toilet facilities, classrooms. Only the knowledge that these places are crime scenes puts them in a completely different light. At the same time, it becomes clear that sexualized violence can and does happen anywhere.

Professor Dr. Julia Wege, who teaches social work at RWU and through whom this artistic collaboration came about, hosted the event. In his keynote speech, Manuel Hagel, Chairman of the CDU Baden-Württemberg and the CDU state parliamentary group, emphasized the willingness of a society to look "where it hurts. It is precisely because it takes reality seriously and puts its finger in the wound that this exhibition is so valuable," said Manuel Hagel.

The President of the State Office of Criminal Investigation, Andreas Stenger, addressed the role of investigators in his presentation. Above all, understanding child-friendly interrogations is of the utmost importance. "I am therefore delighted when I am questioned scientifically and investigatively as part of RWU theses, as this also provides us with an evidence base for our day-to-day work." According to Stenger, the support provided by artificial intelligence, which pre-screens large amounts of image material for possible sexual abuse, should not be underestimated.

Focus on social responsibility

In a subsequent panel discussion, the participants emphasized the importance of prevention and cooperation between all stakeholders in the fight against sexual abuse. Uwe Stürmer, Chief of Police in Ravensburg, made it clear that this topic concerns everyone in society and that they should take notice and inform themselves. Dr. Urs Schneider from the Fraunhofer Institute IPA explained a research project that is developing innovative approaches to crime prevention. He has the support of Julia Wege, who is advising the interdisciplinary project at state and federal level. Both made it clear that research and prevention must go hand in hand in order to take effective action against sexualized violence.

Following the discussion, visitors had the opportunity to view the exhibition and engage with the installations and photographs on display. "I hope that the exhibition can give children and young people a voice and that it actively makes a difference," explained artist Nessi Nezilla at the end.

About the exhibition: Artist Nessi Nezilla conceived the traveling exhibition together with photographers Felicitas Yang and Armando Milano. With photographs documenting places of sexual abuse, they want to draw attention to this urgent and often overlooked topic. The exhibition is open to the public until June 4 in the foyer of RWU (Doggenriedstraße 70 in Weingarten). It will then be on display at universities and public institutions throughout Germany. In addition to the Fraunhofer Institute, the Baden-Württemberg State Office of Criminal Investigation and RWU University of Applied Sciences-Ravensburg, the World Childhood Foundation is also a cooperation partner.

Text: Kathrin Wöhrle