Van Anh and Thanh start the recorded music at CSAGA’s Sharing Together Club meeting. They invite the women to stand and sway to the rhythm.

“Take a step,” Thanh directs. “Now, go anywhere you want!” They run into each other unexpectedly, laughing in surprise (Giang, like a whispering sports announcer, explains, “This allows for fun, freedom to be themselves, a reminder that they are not alone.”)

As the music speeds up, Thanh invites the women to form a line, then zigzag and hop. The women hang on, steadying each other, laughing (Giang: “Many victims will not allow themselves to be touched or to touch others. This is progress!”)

Van Anh gives out stuffed animals and invites each group to create a story about domestic violence. Giang keeps up a running commentary: “The neighbor convinces the wife to get help. Then the counselor balls out the husband!” The women dissolve in gales of glee.

The other group is just finishing. Giang summarizes: “The couple just had a second daughter. The father wanted a son and insists on having more children until he gets one. He beats his wife so she will have sex.” No one is laughing.

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