Sexual violence explored through storytelling, music and art

The cast of ‘Burden of Proof’ hope the show will start honest conversations and challenge apathy towards sexual violence. (Dabble Dabble Jer Collective pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Victims of sexual violence often face an unjust and deeply troubling expectation – they have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that harm was inflicted upon them.

This burden is particularly onerous given that many of these crimes occur in private settings, making evidence difficult to obtain.

Writer Miriam Devaprasana experienced this injustice firsthand. A few years ago, she was publicly subjected to verbal sexual harassment, and endured a frustrating bureaucratic ordeal while reporting the incident to the authorities.

This got Miriam thinking about effective methods for changemaking. Gathering a few close friends, she formed the Dabble Dabble Jer Collective arts group.

In November 2023, the group staged their debut production “Burden of Proof” in Penang. The immersive theatre show, which confronted issues of sexual violence in Malaysia through storytelling, movement, music, and visual art, played to sell-out houses and great reviews.

According to Miriam, one of the most challenging aspects of the production was the process of collecting experiences from survivors of sexual violence.

Director Ysabel Loh and writer Miriam Devaprasana say the theatre production covers a wide range of themes and situations. (Dabble Dabble Jer Collective pics)

“Some of the narratives were translated almost directly from the submissions, word for word. Others found form through abstraction, metaphor, or choreography,” Miriam recalled.

“But at every step, we made an intentional decision to treat each story as its own world. We resisted the temptation to combine or conflate stories, because each one carried its own texture, voice, and weight,” she added.

This month, the production will be performed in Kuala Lumpur alongside “The Quiet Space”, a contemplative art installation that aims to amplify survivor voices and invite community reflection.

“Burden of Proof” will feature stories written by Miriam, Charity Yong and Ysabel Loh, and performed by Chrisalynn Lim, Matthew Tan, Sofea Lee, Villmett Thanakody and Loh.

She added that the stories portrayed on stage would cover sexual harassment, physical abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and rape.

“One undeniable fact is this: usually, the victim knows the perpetrator. Some pieces reveal just how close, trusted, and sinister these figures can be. Some clearly highlight the play on power dynamics between the survivors and perpetrators, who hold leadership positions,” she noted.

Instead of relying on graphic depiction, the show will focus on emotional truth, survivor perspectives, and the systemic silence around sexual violence.

Actress Sofea Lee portrays several characters, including a theatre instructor and a dancer. (Dabble Dabble Jer Collective pic)

Loh added that through the show, they hope to start honest conversations about sexual violence, challenge apathy, and open the door towards empathy, change, and healing.

“It is not just about shedding light on victim-survivor narratives but to challenge audiences to ask themselves why these stories matter, and how they themselves are part of the broader system of listening, ignoring, or responding,” she said.

“The show invites us to confront difficult truths: about how we treat those who come forward, how power and silence operate in our society, and how deeply gender roles and domestic expectations are embedded in our culture.”

Cast members said it was important for Malaysians to watch the production as it portrays true stories still happening all around us.

“The audience should take this as a wake-up call, so that we as a society act before it’s too late,” actor Villmettt said.

Actress Lee said she hoped viewers will understand that sexual violence and harassment happen in Malaysian spaces all the time.

“This production not only immerses you in real survivor stories – it also models how to observe others, how to listen and how not to listen, how to ask for help, and how to care for one another,” she concluded.