Town film plays part in police rape initiative
A LOUGHBOROUGH film company has recorded a film about a fictional rape case as part of a major campaign by Leicestershire Police, aimed at increasing the number of prosecutions against those who commit serious sexual assault.
Produced by Affixxius Films - the same film company which made the multi award-winning Kayleigh’s Love Story, about Measham teenager Kayleigh Haywood who was murdered - the film shows the implications that the loss of evidence can have on attempts to bring the offender to justice.
The film was posted online by police on Monday, October 30, and has already received backing from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
It’s the first element of a major campaign being rolled out in the coming weeks by the police, which is aimed at increasing the number of successful prosecutions against those who commit serious sexual assault.
A second film, also produced by Affixxius Films, which shows the events leading up to the rape and assesses people’s prejudices and misconceptions, will be posted online at a later date.
Leicestershire Police said that the campaign called ‘All Is Not Lost’ aims to raise greater awareness of rape as a crime, to encourage those who have been a victim to report early and to retain evidence, and to dispel myths and preconceptions around victims and perpetrators.
The campaign has been developed by Leicestershire Police’s communications and engagement directorate in liaison with victims, scores of specialist officers and staff in the force and in partner agencies, notably with the staff at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Leicestershire which helps to support victims of rape.
At the heart of the campaign are the two films about a fictional rape. Shot on location in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire earlier this year, the films involve a professional cast of more than 12 actors.
As well as these two films, the campaign will also feature a series of short videos recorded by a number of victims of rape in the Leicestershire area in recent years.
In these films, each victim explains what happened to them and encourages others who are attacked to come forward.
Assistant Chief Con Julia Debenham, who is leading the campaign, said: “This campaign is about rape, about victims, and about perceptions.
“I hope this campaign sparks debate about all the various issues it raises. I hope it empowers victims, and enables us and our CPS colleagues to help them to get justice.
Miles Latham, managing partner of Affixxius Films, said: “A film project such as All Is Not Lost carries with it a wide range of significant challenges.
“The Affixxius Films team, along with our superb cast, have looked to sensitively but unapologetically meet this need head-on.
“Above all, we hope these films provoke conversation, debate and reflection on a hugely important topic in the modern world.”