Ventura County Art Exhibit Highlights Resilience of Domestic Violence Survivors

VENTURA, Calif. — An art exhibition at the Ventura County Government Center is shining a light on domestic violence, giving survivors a platform to share their experiences and reclaim their power through creative expression.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month Art Show, held at the Atrium Gallery, features artwork intended to encourage conversations about abuse and the resilience of those affected by it.

Artist Paola Meraz said survivors were able to write messages on T-shirts, using art as a way to reclaim a sense of control after experiencing abuse.

“These survivors got to write messages on their T-shirts,” Meraz said. “And so I think this is where art comes in, to be able to give yourself a space to reclaim your power in a moment where you didn't feel like you had.”

Brent Nibecker, chief deputy district attorney, said the artwork reflects both the pain survivors experience and their strength in moving forward.

“I see trauma, I see sadness, but you also see the resiliency of our survivors, which is something we see at the Family Justice Center every day,” Nibecker said.

For Rajima Danish-Engel, program manager at the Ventura County Family Justice Center, the issue is personal. She said she has seen people close to her affected by domestic violence and sexual assault and has also survived domestic violence herself.

Danish-Engel said lived experience can become a powerful tool for helping others navigate the aftermath of abuse.

“You can take your trauma and it can be turned into advocacy,” she said, describing how peer advocates use their own experiences to support people who are still in crisis.

That shared understanding can help survivors feel less alone as they work toward safety and recovery, she said.

The exhibition is part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed every October to raise awareness about abuse, recognize survivors and connect people with support.

Advocates emphasize that raising awareness is about more than recognizing the problem. It is also about helping survivors understand that resources are available and that they do not have to navigate the experience alone.

Where to get help

Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential support, 24 hours a day.

• Call: 800-799-7233
• Text: START to 88788
• Online: thehotline.org