Latest news with #IFAS
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
French cultural and creative industry leaders embark on ICC Immersion 2025 in South Africa
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Business France South Africa and Southern Africa are proud to announce the launch of ICC Immersion South Africa 2025, a dynamic initiative supporting French companies in the cultural and creative industries (Industries Culturelles et Créatives – ICC) ) as they explore partnerships and opportunities in South Africa's thriving creative economy. Launched in 2022 under the France 2030 plan, ICC Immersion is co-ordinated by the French General Secretariat for Investment (Secrétariat Général pour l'Investissement ) and driven by the French Institute and Business France headquarters in Paris, with support from the Banque des Territoires, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. ICC Immersion has been successfully run in over a dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and the UK. The 2025 edition is implemented by IFAS and Business France in Johannesburg. Strengthening French-South African relations ICC Immersion offers a unique opportunity to strengthen bilateral cultural ties while shining a spotlight on local talent, institutions, and innovation to a global network. By connecting French creatives and organisations with South African counterparts, the program stimulates knowledge exchange, co-creation, and potential investment in the cultural economy. It also opens doors for long-term collaboration in sectors ranging from fashion and architecture to heritage preservation and digital media. His Excellency Mr David Martinon, French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, stated: 'ICC Immersion 2025 underscores France's focus on cultural diplomacy and creative entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond. With a long-standing partnership across sectors, the programme highlights the mutual value of creative collaboration.' Meet the 2025 delegation from France This year's participating companies reflect the diversity and innovation of France's cultural and creative sectors: ALLEGRIA is a veteran event communications and business tourism agency known for immersive and monumental projections, producing lifestyle and cultural events for up to 180,000 attendees. Atrack (Beam for Music) helps artists and music publishers optimise royalty tracking and revenue recovery through advanced technology and data visualisation tools. Agence Culturelle PLUS (Reunion Island) is a cultural think tank facilitating dialogue between arts, heritage, and people, while revitalising traditional mediation tools through site-specific projects and festivals. Culturespaces manages 14 renowned cultural and heritage sites including the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, offering immersive exhibitions and audiovisual experiences across France and abroad. Fabrik & Moi (Reunion Island) is a high-end fashion brand focused on ethical and sustainable textile innovation, with a CSR-led project that transforms used fabrics into luxury pieces—featured most recently at Paris Fashion Week. France Muséums Développement provides strategic consulting for major museum projects globally, leveraging the expertise of leading French museums to foster cultural impact and audience engagement. Jakob + MacFarlane is a cutting-edge architecture and urban design firm known for socially committed, environmentally innovative projects across sectors—from museums and theatres to housing and research labs. Memorist brings together five French heritage firms to offer services in conservation, restoration, digitisation, and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural assets worldwide. SoundBirth is the first French startup to deliver an all-in-one mobile platform for artists, combining global music distribution, social media promotion, and AI-powered career support. ICC Immersion 2025 highlights The ICC Immersion programme began in April 2025 with an online immersion phase featuring market insight sessions and expert-led discussions. From 23 June to 2 July 2025, participants will take part in a 10-day physical immersion across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, including B2B meetings, site visits, and high-level networking events. A highlight of the programme will be the ICC Forum, to be held on 25 June 2025 at the French Residence, which is designed to deepen dialogue and foster networking opportunities between French and South African creatives and businesses. For more information about ICC Immersion South Africa 2025, visit:
TimesLIVE
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Fête de la Musique is back to mark 30 years of 'beats, culture & pure vibes'
The Fête de la Musique is back and turning up the volume in 2025 with more rhythm, more soul, and even more reason to celebrate. Set against the urban-chic backdrop of Victoria Yards, this year's festival is dialled all the way up — marking 50 years of UNESCO's International Music Day and 30 years of the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). The event is taking place on June 21, at Victoria Yards, Lorentzville, Johannesburg. Expect vibes for days with a curated line-up of more than 20 acts plucked from more than 300 hopefuls by a top-tier panel of national and international tastemakers. This is no ordinary playlist — this is live music magic, with a mix of raw talent and rising stars, all served on a Johannesburg winter afternoon. Sun-El Musician and Bongeziwe Mabandla — both alumni of Fête stages past — are back to show just how far they've come. Now national icons, they're bringing their signature sounds home to where it all began. Also on stage will be Akeeda, Jabulile Majola, Namhla Badela, Thabiso Thabete, NdumzDJ, Brandon Aura, IDAHUM, KatzTheSingR, Tumi Dibakoane, Tsoness, Afro Moment, Shepard Brothers, Tshepo Molefe, Thando Nkosi, KGZOO and many others, including some surprise acts. 'As we celebrate 30 years of IFAS in South Africa, we are proud to continue providing platforms like Fête de la Musique that support artistic expression and cultural exchange,' says Dorine Lebreton, cultural attaché and deputy director of IFAS. 'This festival is not only a celebration of music, but also a space where artists can grow, experiment and connect with audiences in meaningful ways.'
Sky News
07-06-2025
- Sky News
'He was going to kill me': More strangulation cases recorded by police but many investigations falter
Around 70% of non-fatal strangulation cases in the last year have been dropped due to evidential issues, exclusive data shared with Sky News shows. It is now three years since it became a standalone offence in England and Wales, in a landmark piece of legislation designed to protect domestic abuse victims. Data from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) shows that police are implementing the offence widely - but outcomes for victims are mixed. Warning: This article contains references to domestic abuse and sexual assault 'Sarah' - whose name has been changed to protect her identity - vividly remembers the first time her ex-partner strangled her, one year into their relationship. She said: "He was drunk, and he climbed on top me. He put his hands around my throat, and he pinned me down with the strength of his body." Terrified, she begged him repeatedly to stop, but he carried on. "I remember I just felt really numb and scared, but it was weird, it felt like an out-of-body experience." Afterwards the only words he spoke to her were 'look what you made me do', she said, and then when the ordeal was over, he carried on with his day as if nothing had happened. This was the beginning of a pattern of abuse that continued throughout the rest of their relationship, happening on at least 30 more occasions, Sarah estimated. It became so normalised He strangled her when she was pregnant. He strangled her whether her children were in the house or not. It always happened during sex, though Sarah was only later able to recognise that this was rape after talking to the police, because for her it had become so normalised. And, always, he told Sarah it was her fault - that she had somehow 'made' him do it. She later went on to suffer a miscarriage because of the physical abuse. 'A form of control' "Looking back now I can see it was a form of control. He got off on knowing that he was in control, and he liked seeing me upset," she said. "I thought that he was going to kill me because he used to threaten it to me. It was very, very scary." This fear of death is common among victims of strangulation and is a recognised tool of control and intimidation. A US study found that victims of domestic abuse were seven times more likely to be murdered by their current or former partner if there had been an incident of non-fatal strangulation beforehand. But this form of violence often leaves no obvious external signs of injury, meaning in some cases perpetrators could only be investigated for less serious offences like common assault, which did not reflect the severity of the crime. What are the possible effects on health? The potential health impacts are wide-ranging, including loss of consciousness, voice changes, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, bruising, haemorrhages, headaches, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), miscarriage, risk of suicide, and death (including delayed death). Symptoms can arise weeks or months after the event. It is for these reasons that campaigners fought for the introduction of the standalone offence, which came into effect in June 2022. 'Much work to be done' The IFAS has been monitoring the offence since the legislation was introduced and shared its latest report findings exclusively with Sky News. It said there is still "much work to be done" to better protect victims of strangulation. New figures obtained by IFAS from the Home Office reveal that over 63,000 crimes of non-fatal strangulation or suffocation were recorded by police in England and Wales in the first two years under the legislation. There were 39,360 recorded crimes in 2023/24, on average 66 offences per 100,000 people compared with 50 per 100,000 the year before, an increase of 20%. "Survivors who work with us have recognised time and time again how important it is to be able to see strangulation as a standalone offence and have the opportunity to progress with criminal justice proceedings," Harriet Smailes, co-author of the report, told Sky News. The volume of crimes recorded suggests that the offence is being widely recognised and reported by police - and the number resulting in charges, at 12%, is high compared to some other offences. However, a significant number of investigations result in no further action due to evidential difficulties. This can happen if police or prosecutors do not believe there is enough evidence to proceed, or if the victim does not support the investigation. This was the outcome in three in five investigations overall, including one in five investigations where the victim did support police action. Outcomes were similar in both years of available data. "In around half of cases, there are no external, physical, visible signs of injury. That's not to say that there aren't internal injuries that can't be seen just with the naked eye," said Ms Smailes, who is a research officer at IFAS. "It might be that that visible injury isn't present at the time of evidence capture that might develop over time, or because there's a difference in how individuals show bruising, for example those of different skin tones. That can contribute towards there not being enough perceived evidence to be able to progress with a police case," she said. In some cases where a victim disengages from police proceedings, it may be that they did not feel supported and believed in the process or felt that there were "too many obstacles". On the other hand, not all cases where a victim did not support police action are necessarily negative. "It might be that initial needs have been met in that instance through reporting to the police, for example, initial containment of the risk of that situation, and referrals to specialist health or mental health services," Ms Smailes explained. Police 'determined' to improve Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe is the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for domestic abuse. She told Sky News that securing prosecutions for strangulation is a priority for tackling violence against women and girls, and a key part of national Domestic Abuse Matters training. "For us to do well in prosecutions, we need to understand how perpetrators operate, how they use this is a sinister way of controlling their victims. And we also know that many victims are frightened to pursue prosecution," she said. Investigators not only have to secure detailed evidence rapidly but also present the best possible case so that prosecutors and juries understand how an abuser is operating, she said. "That can be a challenging job, for a police service that's under pressure, trying to deal with a myriad of priorities. I know many investigators are passionate about getting this right." "We know we're up against it when it comes to securing convictions, but we're determined to improve," she added. Fewer than half were convicted Separate research by IFAS has found that in the first year under the new legislation, only around half of the number of offences charged by police were prosecuted, and less than half of those secured a conviction. Overall, 47% of the 1,437 prosecutions of non-fatal strangulation and suffocation offences in the year to June 2023 resulted in conviction, based on data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) from all courts in England and Wales. There are several potential reasons that a prosecution may be unsuccessful, including evidential difficulties or a victim withdrawing from the process. The accused may also have been convicted of a separate offence, but not for the strangulation. Without more detailed data, it is hard to determine to what extent each is contributing to the low conviction rate. Reflecting on the figures, head of policy and public affairs at domestic abuse support charity Refuge, Ellie Butt, told Sky News that victims often face "huge pressure" from perpetrators to drop out of the criminal justice process. "When compounded with lengthy court delays and insufficient support, many survivors are forced to withdraw from the process. Police and prosecutors should be working to build cases that can be taken forward even when a survivor can no longer continue," she said. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted to Sky News that the number of new prosecution proceedings has been consistently increasing, particularly domestic abuse-related strangulation offences. In the latest quarter, 2,000 cases reached their first hearing at magistrates' court. Kate Brown, the CPS national lead for domestic abuse, said: "Three years on, we have continued to bring more charges quarter on quarter, with over 2,000 seen in court in the past three months. "This standalone offence has shone a light on those who seek to use these violent acts to exert power over another person and harm them. We are determined to continue bringing abusers to justice for victims." A gendered crime The new data from IFAS reinforces that strangulation is a gendered crime. Around 80% of victims whose gender was recorded by police were female, while 88% of suspects were male. The data also shows that while people from all ages are impacted, most victims are younger, with three in five aged 34 or under. The age profile of suspects was slightly higher, with three in five suspects aged between 25 and 44. 'I want to say it's not your fault' Sarah's case ended in evidential difficulties. Though her case was reported before 2022, when strangulation became a specific offence, she said she did provide substantial physical evidence to the police and she feels "let down" by the justice system. She said she has been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and other health issues. "I live with it every day. It can be a song that comes on the radio or a sign or somebody's name and it would just bring everything back to me to that point, that moment," she said. "I want to say it's not your fault. Nobody has the right to control you, nobody has the right to abuse you, rape you, strangle you. "I would urge anyone to speak out and if you feel like you haven't been heard and your voice has not been listened to, speak out again."
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Rhythmic Remedies blends Music and Science in Bahrain's first wellness workshop of its kind
The Indian Fine Arts Society (IFAS), Bahrain, is set to host a landmark wellness initiative, 'Rhythmic Remedies – A Journey of Healing Through Music and Rhythm,' this Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ramee Grand Hotel, Seef. Designed by Ms. Vinaya Karthik, Co-founder of World of Wellness, this unique experiential workshop blends ancient Indian rhythmic traditions with modern neuroscience to improve mental focus, emotional balance , and overall well-being. The event offers separate morning and evening sessions tailored for students, professionals, educators, and wellness enthusiasts. ' This is the first time Bahrain will experience music not just as art, but as therapy, as science, and as a tool for productivity and mindfulness,' said Nirmala Varadharajan, President of IFAS Bahrain. 'We are excited to introduce the community to the transformative power of rhythm.' Event Details Venue: Ramee Grand Hotel, Seef Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Timings: Morning Session: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (followed by lunch) Evening Session: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Metro
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Survivors of strangulation are being let down when they turn on their TVs
The first time I saw someone being strangled on TV was in EastEnders. I was 16 in 2005, when gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray) held Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) against the wall by her throat, yelling threats into her face before she revealed she was pregnant. The scene did not really stick out to me back then, nor did I find it shocking or moving. But therein lies the problem. To me, it seemed like Sharon walked away with no shock afterwards, confusion, trauma, or flashbacks. It was something that just happened – a small piece in a bigger storyline. Two decades later, the same thing happened when Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) strangled Sharon until Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) stopped him before it was too late. But the thing is, strangulation is rarely broken down and seen for what it actually is. I'm the Communications Manager of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) and I want you to really picture it. The person you trust most in the world has their hands around your throat, restricting your breathing and is looking directly into your eyes as they do this. Fear is running through you, and you believe with every fibre of your being that you will die. These are your last moments. Only they are not. You survive. But this moment is lodged into your memory forever. This is what it means to be a victim-survivor of strangulation. So why can't popular culture reflect this accurately? The best we can seem to muster is that it's a harmless sexual act, which is not only alarmingly inaccurate but also minimises the health risks. Films such as Lady Chatterley's Lover, Obsession, and 365 Days all feature strangulation as a normal part of sexual experiences. But watching these scenes, you would never know how easily the act of strangulation can cause harm. Then there's strangulation as a purely violent act, as seen in the TV series, Mr Bigstuff, where Danny Dyer's character is strangling someone using a hammer handle. But what sits between these extremes is much more complex, widespread, and dangerous. Strangulation often occurs as part of domestic abuse or sexual violence, often perpetrated by someone you know or maybe even love and trust. It is the ultimate control you can exert on another human being. By applying pressure to the neck – a vulnerable area – and restricting someone's breath, you are showing you have final say over whether they live or die. That's why I want to see more scenes in popular culture of strangulation that take it seriously in domestic abuse contexts. Because the stats are truly sobering. Research has shown that a person can lose consciousness in around seven to 10 seconds of being strangled, damaging blood vessels in the neck, leading to blood clots forming, which may result in a stroke. In fact, evidence suggests it's the second most common cause of stroke in young women. IFAS analysed data from Domestic Homicide Reviews, which showed that prior controlling behaviours were present in two third of cases where the victim was fatally strangled. Over half of those who were fatally strangled had experienced non-fatal strangulation prior to their death. On top of that, of the 2,000 women aged 14 years and above who were killed in the UK since 2014, strangulation was used in 550 killings; 372 of those women killed were strangled by an intimate partner. One in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives ONS research revealed that, in 2023, the police recorded a domestic abuse offence approximately every 40 seconds Yet Crime Survey for England & Wales data for the year ending March 2023 found only 18.9% of women who experienced partner abuse in the last 12 months reported the abuse to the police According to Refuge, 84% of victims in domestic abuse cases are female, with 93% of defendants being male Safe Lives reports that disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse as non-disabled women, and typically experience domestic abuse for a longer period of time before accessing support Refuge has also found that, on average, it takes seven attempts before a woman is able to leave for good. Shockingly, there were a total of 23,817 offences of strangulation and suffocation recorded in England and Wales in the first year of strangulation and suffocation becoming a stand-alone offence. Given how widespread strangulation is, media reporting on these cases is seriously lacking. To tackle this, organisations like End Violence Against Women (EVAW) – a UK-based organisation that campaigns to end all forms of violence against women – offers guidelines on how to report on this subject matter, which emphasise the importance of prioritising the voice of the victim or survivor. Their voices can help educate the public about the risks around strangulation and provide much needed context to the one-dimensional strangulation scenes we are often exposed to in film and TV. Overall, British soaps have done well to increase understanding of violence against women and girls. This is especially so around coercive control, like during Mo and Trevor's domestic abuse storyline in 2001. Through physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, Trevor terrorised Mo. This was in the form of coercive control by not letting her see family and friends, rape, and violent acts of aggression like pulling her hair or making her eat Christmas dinner off the floor. For British audiences at the time, it helped people to recognise signs of abuse in their own relationship and access support. In fact, one domestic abuse organisation stated that it was 'ground-breaking' and the most significant TV portrayal of violence in the home in 30 years. Since then, domestic abuse has thankfully been covered much more widely in TV and film, like coercive control in the film Alice, Darling, honour-based violence in ITV's Honour, and stalking in Netflix's Baby Reindeer. But more needs to be done to ensure strangulation is depicted realistically. Watching scenes play out on the big screen, I wonder how many of these producers, directors, or even actors have actually spoken to anyone who has experienced strangulation. More Trending The irony is that many of the scenes of late showing strangulation would likely have required intimacy coordinators on sets – and rightly so – to protect the actors' wellbeing through creating a safe, consensual, and respectful environment. But what about the audience watching strangulation scenes? Don't we need to be protected from misinformation, misrepresentation, and minimisation of what strangulation actually is and the harm it causes? TV and film have the power to help raise awareness of the risks around strangulation and move conversations forward. View More » But this starts with speaking to those who have lived experience. Only through these dialogues can we create complex, nuanced, and moving depictions of strangulation. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. 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