Mossman Belly Dancing group shimmies for domestic violence awareness

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Jamie Jansen

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Last year’s Shimmy Mob team representing Mossman. Every year the Shimmy Mob organisation provides all-inclusive t-shirts. The colour of the shirt remains a mystery until shortly before the event.

Every year, belly dancers around the globe, and in Mossman, take over the streets for a very important cause.

This happens during the so-called ‘Shimmy Mob’, a worldwide event that takes place on World Belly Dance Day, which falls on May 14 this year.

Rochelle Thompson, owner of ‘Belly Dance with Rochelle’ in Mossman, said that this will be Mossman’s third year with Shimmy Mob. She explained that Shimmy Mob is an international organisation created to raise awareness of, and reduce, the statistics of domestic violence.

“Belly dancers around the world dance in 'flash mobs' to spread the message that physical abuse is always preceded by emotional abuse and victims need to get out before things turn violent”, Ms Thompson said.

Rochelle Thompson fell in love with Belly Dancing from the first time she went to a class. "The best thing about belly dancing is that there is no right or wrong way to dance."

“We all dance the same dance on the same day. The dance choreography and the music are organized by the Shimmy Mob organisation. This year the choreography contest was won by an Australian, Ellie Taylor who lives in Illawarra. We are very excited to have an Australian winner this year.”

Emotional abuse

Ms Thompson said that the Shimmy Mob message is not only to raise awareness for physical abuse, but to also recognise emotional abuse. “Too many people think domestic violence is physical violence, when it really is the last step in the pattern of abuse”, she said.

“We need everyone to understand that verbal abuse is also a form of abuse. It is damaging and soul destroying. Shimmy Mob wants victims to realise this and get out before physical violence occurs.

”This cause is especially close to heart for Ms Thompson as she has seen the effects of emotional abuse from up close in her own life. “My father was emotionally abusive”, she explains. “I saw how he controlled and manipulated my mother. He isolated her from her friends and support networks, all with words and manipulation.

“I never saw him raise a hand but I knew he was hurting her, myself and my brother. One day, later in life, my mother decided enough was enough and left him. Since then I have seen her positively blossom.

“Each year I have had women reach out and get help regarding their unsafe relationships. These are only the people I am personally aware of. I hope that there are others out there who have privately gotten help and or counselling and removed themselves from danger after hearing the Shimmy Mob message.”

Belly dance love at first sight

Being a ballet dancer almost all her life, Ms Thompson was blown away the first time she tried out belly dancing. “It was like stepping into another world. Exotic music, women of all ages, shapes and sizes moving together, smiling and laughing and no judgement. I fell in love immediately and have never looked back.”

“The best thing about belly dancing is that there is no right or wrong way to dance. Every single body is unique and belly dance encourages you to move the best way for you.”

Accessible to everyone

Ms Thompson said that non-dancers can also register and be a part of the Shimmy Mob team. “The choreography is deliberately easy and inclusive, everyone is encouraged to give it a try”, she said.

She adds that belly dancing is not just for women, “men and children are also welcomed by Shimmy Mob and by Belly Dance with Rochelle”.

The profits from registration go to local DV services, and the Mossman Team supports Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service (CRDVS). Registration closes March 31st and flashmob day is May 14th.

You can check out ShimmyMob.com for more information about the organisation. For more information about the event or to register you can contact Rochelle on 0476195738 or on Facebook.

The slogan of the Shimmy Mob organisation.

Thank you!

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