Why are people posting pictures of their shoes online?

Shine Trustee and award-winning photographer Jayne Jackson is staging an art protest in response to the Sarah Everard case. 

Long time Shine volunteer and now Trustee, Jayne Jackson, has set about collecting shoes and encouraging people to post images of their own shoes online. Why? 

Jayne is creating a visual ‘people free’ art piece, which is due to take place in Bournemouth on Thursday 18th March to visually raise awareness on sexual assault and show help people show solidarity while still in lockdown.

Shoes have been chosen as a way to represent people who are unable to walk in protest.  It is also a metaphor of putting yourself in the shoes of women who often feel fear when walking alone or at night.  Shoes don’t have a gender, so anyone can post a picture and show their support and this will create a visual image of how many Dorset people want to see change happen.  It is also something easy to do at home and online, by posting a quick photo of your shoes, you are saying, enough is enough, I support this. 

The public can join a Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/events/141668351186622

This will be updated shortly with how & where to donate shoes.  People can also show support by posting images of their own shoes on social media #intheirshoes. #takestand.

Jayne explains, ‘It is so important to talk about this issue. An investigation by UN Women UK found that 97% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed, and it is time for change.  We owe it ourselves and to the young women of the future to build a society where women feel and are safe. 

I’m so proud and thankful to be a part of The Shine Project, which is such a wonderful resource supporting young women in our area working towards a more positive future.

For more information see Jayne’s webpage at: https://www.jaynejacksonphotography.co.uk/-intheirshoes-takeastand-protest