She Speaks Volumes is the cornerstone of the "Arts, Advocacy, and Activism" collaboration between the Institute and the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, addressing issues of violence against girls and women during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The first of this two-part program involves a panel discussion, "Where Do We Draw the Line? Creative Expression vs. the Perpetuation of a Rape Culture."  Creative expression represents one's ideas, opinions and personal views as illustrated through various art forms:  music, poetry, writing, film, etc.  For artists, having the right to express his/her self through their artistry is what drives their passion.  However, some forms of creative expression stimulate covert and overt messages of sexual violence, which in turn can have an effect on the perpetuation of a rape culture. 

Moderated by Misty DeBerry, the panel will feature members of spoken word trio Diva Diction (Bassey, Amalia Ortiz, Ishle Park) and local female hip-hop emcees Ang13 and Unmuvabo Vendetta.  Please note: This discussion contains sexually explicit language.