On Saturday 21 March, Voices of Hope hosted Silent No More 2026 — a powerful evening centred on the voices, courage and creativity of women who have lived experience through abuse.

Silent No More is the culmination of a supported, trauma-informed journey. Over several months, a group of survivors — known as our “Pearls” — took part in creative workshops, one-to-one support and community building, enabling them to share their stories publicly in safe and meaningful ways.

The evening brought these journeys to life through spoken testimony, music, photography, art and film. Each element offered a glimpse into deeply personal experiences of abuse — the control, fear, isolation and loss of self — while also revealing the strength, resilience and transformation that is possible through support, community and restored voice.

At its heart, Silent No More exists to:

• Honour survivors and the journeys they have walked
• Break the shame and stigma surrounding abuse
• Inspire hope and action across our communities

By placing survivor voice at the centre, Silent No More challenged assumptions about who abuse affects and how it presents. The stories shared disrupted stereotypes, confronted stigma, and invited the audience to engage honestly with the reality and complexity of abuse.
Through creative expression — across music, art, photography and spoken word — survivors were able to communicate experiences that are often difficult to articulate. This opened up space for deeper understanding, reflection and conversation among those present.

The event also strengthened the role of survivors as leaders and advocates within their communities. By sharing their stories publicly, they are helping to shape how services, professionals and local communities respond to abuse — contributing to a wider culture shift that prioritises dignity, listening and informed action.

As Silent No More continues through exhibitions and future events across Surrey and South West London, this work will extend into new spaces; raising awareness, equipping communities, and ensuring that survivor voice remains central to how we address violence against women and girls.

We are deeply proud of every woman who took part, and grateful to all who stood alongside them to make this possible.