Preventing sexual harassment also involves developing a greater awareness of one’s own body, understanding one’s own boundaries and those of others, and recognising signs of discomfort. In this regard, physical theatre techniques and exercises involving moving closer to or away from someone in a space, or simple gestures of contact such as placing a hand on a shoulder, enable us to simulate situations that may be perceived as unwanted.
These (and other) activities have been and continue to be at the heart of a workshop entitled “The Shared Space”, comprising a half-day session and four teaching modules that combine theoretical and practical elements, led by researchers from the Accademia Dimitri, who are in turn supported by a professional psychologist. Personal experience always serves as the starting point for group exercises and theatrical activities in which everyone is invited to reflect on their own experiences and those of others.
By the end of 2025, the workshops had involved more than 160 students and 40 teachers from the Trevano Technical Vocational Centre, the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education, and the Accademia Teatro Dimitri itself. Following this initial phase, which also involved collaboration with the SUPSI Gender & Diversity Service and the 16 Days Campaign, the programme continued at these educational institutions and also launched a new partnership with the Punto Zero Association.
“The activities have continued and we have kept running the workshops, adapting the exercises each time to the group we are working with,” explains Angela Calia, researcher and gender and diversity officer at the Accademia Teatro Dimitri. Over time, a shared working protocol has been established. The “Lo spazio condiviso” workshop is based on a standard structure that is adapted to different contexts: an introduction to the project, warm-up exercises, practical activities and a final phase of dialogue and sharing. “We try to follow a common protocol to observe what happens through the proposed activities,” emphasises Calia.
The workshops alternate between physical exercises and group discussions, in which the experiences gained during the activities serve as a starting point for discussing real-life situations that may arise in everyday life. Beginning with simple exercises on space and the distance between bodies, the discussion extends to everyday contexts, such as differences in how people perceive the sharing of space on public transport, at school or at work.
A survey phase is currently being prepared, focusing on physical and emotional awareness. “We want to understand what tools young people have to listen to their bodies and recognise their own feelings. This is a stage of gathering data and information that precedes the ability to recognise harassment,” explains Calia.
The activities have so far involved groups of different ages and backgrounds, ranging from young people at the Trevano Vocational Centre to university students. The topic, however, continues to be of great interest and is relevant across all contexts, albeit with varying levels of awareness. “Older students often have a greater capacity for reflection, whilst younger ones display strong curiosity and a need for tools,” observes Calia. In the case of DFA students – future teachers – reflection also extends to their future professional lives, whereas in vocational training contexts it remains more focused on their current personal and professional experiences. The project is now looking towards possible development in other educational contexts, where these themes are present but often in an unstructured way. “It is not a question of saying what is right or wrong, but of creating a space for exploration,” concludes Calia. “Through theatrical play and dialogue, one can better understand personal boundaries and develop greater awareness.”
In addition to the workshops held at partner training centres, the project is expanding to include the participation of its researchers in conferences and round-table discussions organised by third parties on the same topics.
Partners and supporters
The project is supported by the FOGE (Federal Office for Gender Equality), the FOAG (Federal Office for Support to Organisations and Activities for Families and Young People), and the PRO FILIA Association – Locarno and GENERANDO