the project

Imagining Resistance, is a research project led by Professor Kristi Langhoff, University of  Sussex, Dr Camille Warrington, University of Bedfordshire and Becky Warnock, a visual artist. For three years we worked with young people across the UK who had experienced sexual violence and exploitation to explore their understanding of the concept of resistance. The word ‘resistance’ is complex- it has many meanings. It is used to describe how people ‘fight back’ against oppression and subjugation but when it is used to describe young people, it often has negative connotations: when they ‘resist’ help, resist engagement, resist participating in activities that are considered positive by their support  workers and the adults in their lives. This project reflected on these contradictions, and the experience of re-imagining resistance for and with young people. Together we made a series of zines, a protest quilt and a film to share our ideas.