Company Overview: MESA
MESA is an innovative organization focused on solving complex challenges through collaborative efforts. Founded by Barbara Soalheiro, MESA unites diverse professionals to tap into collective human intelligence in a structured environment. This framework empowers organizations to address multifaceted social and corporate issues with exceptional creativity and speed, making MESA an ideal partner for projects that require thoughtful execution.
Client Overview: Instituto Liberta
Instituto Liberta is a Brazilian nonprofit dedicated to addressing the critical issue of sexual violence against children and adolescents. Their mission is to raise awareness, facilitate conversations, and advocate for preventive and supportive policies nationwide. Instituto Liberta employs various strategies, including public awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and professional training, to combat the silence and stigma surrounding child and adolescent sexual exploitation. By building coalitions and mobilizing action, Liberta supports victims tirelessly and aims to prevent future abuse.
Challenge: Breaking the Silence on Sexual Violence
Brazil faces a severe crisis regarding the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Ignorance and societal normalization perpetuate a cycle of trauma, leaving many children in harmful situations with limited public awareness. Urgent interventions are necessary to rescue those affected and educate society. Raising public consciousness is vital to dismantling embedded cultural indifference and addressing these violations of rights.
Solution: A Virtual Parade to Break the Silence
MESA's dynamic environment was ideal for tackling this complex issue. Led by Barbara Soalheiro, a multidisciplinary team—Luciana Temer, Itala Herta, Cris Bartis, Cris Guterres, Giulia Fagundes, Jules Faria, Jessica Gomes, Erick Mazer, Fernando Binkowski, Gabriel Giacomini, Pedro Garcia de Moura, Chebel, Rodrigo Guima, Tamy Niski, ThaÃs Mancini, Sophie Wajngarten, Cristina Cordeiro e Guilherme Cordeiro—developed a solution: a Virtual Parade where victims of sexual violence shared their experiences. The parade aimed to create a platform for victims to break the silence, humanize the issue, and challenge societal stigma through storytelling.
By amplifying their voices, the Virtual Parade sought to spark public dialogue to disrupt the normalization of child sexual exploitation and exert pressure on policymakers for stronger preventative measures. Its virtual format allowed for nationwide participation, creating a united front demanding change.
As a product designer, I focused on creating an accessible, impactful platform where victims could share their stories, ensuring that their voices were heard and felt widely. I worked to make the experience user-friendly and respectful, aiming to foster meaningful engagement from viewers and ensure that participants felt supported in telling their stories. By amplifying survivor voices through an immersive virtual experience, the project aimed to humanize the issue, challenge societal stigma, and build public pressure for policy change.
Impact: A Message to the World
The initiative garnered international attention and support. Pope Francis called for "zero tolerance" regarding sexual abuse and pedophilia, underscoring the initiative's significance and the urgent need for systemic change. By empowering survivors and galvanizing public support, the Virtual Parade catalyzed societal awareness and institutional accountability, marking a crucial step toward eradicating child exploitation and advocating for the safety and dignity of children everywhere.
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