Wednesday on “First Coast Connect” we discussed Sexual Assault Awareness Week with Betty Griffin Center’s advocacy team coordinator Ruby Hauder, and Green Dot coordinator Sandi Cipolloni. We heard from author, artist and former Florida prison inmate Moliere Dimanche about his new book on prison reform. We learned about the latest Art in Public Places projects in downtown Jacksonville from director Christie Holechek and artist Andrew Reid Shed. Playwright Ebony Payne English and director JaMario Stills spoke about their new play “On Purpose.”
Betty Griffin Center
According to a new report, one in six women in Florida have been raped at sometime in their lives. New data analysis in this report reveals that only 2 to 8 percent of sexual assault reports could be considered false.
The National Women’s Study Replication, funded by the National Institute of Justice, in 2005 found that nationally only 18 percent of forcible rapes are reported to law enforcement. The study found only 10 percent of drug and alcohol facilitated rapes are reported. A 5K fun run to benefit the Betty Griffin Center will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, at the St. Augustine Pier.
Moliere Dimanche
He served nearly a decade in Florida state prisons. Nearly three years of them in solitary confinement Now, artist and writer Moliere Dimanche has become an activist on the issue of prison reform. After serving his sentence, Dimanche shining a spotlight on issues in the state’s criminal justice system through his book, “It Takes a Criminal to Know One,” which describes life behind bars in Florida. He said his time in solitary was punishment for trying to report the injustices he saw.
Art in Public Places
Thirty-four new works of art are coming to downtown Jacksonville. The new artwork along Laura, Hogan, Adams, Forsyth and Water streets is the result of Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority's enlivening of the retail enhancement area through streetscape art. Shed created eight skyway columns along Bay Street. There are numerous events this week in honor of Public Art Week, including a workshop for local artists at 6 p.m. Thursday, at the Times-Union Center. A free public art walking tour is noon Friday convening at the T-U Center.
‘On Purpose’
Technology continues to influence how we are see and relate to — or distance ourselves from — others online. In a time of rapid technological change, how are certain sustaining qualities of human interaction going to evolve in an increasingly virtual-mediated reality? That’s the theme of a new show “On Purpose.” It’s being presented in the WJCT studio at 8 p.m. April 7-8 and 2 p.m. April 9. Tickets are $15.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
