Film tackles domestic abuse issue

Scottish Women’s Aid has launched a new short animated film for young Wishaw women who are experiencing domestic abuse during lockdown.

The film was created in partnership with the organisation’s young expert group Yello! – and produced by Media Co-Op.

The panel of children and teenagers have all experienced domestic abuse in their own lives and they were involved in every part of the creative process.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that perpetrators of domestic abuse now have further opportunities for surveillance and control as they know where their partner or ex-partner is likely to be at any given time.

Additionally, the closure of schools, as well as other community spaces where young people get to enjoy their freedom, means they don’t have access to some of the spaces where they feel safest and where they have access to trusted adults outside of their family.

The new animation highlights some of the ways that youngsters might be experiencing domestic abuse in their own relationships at this time; and directs them to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline for support.

Sue McKellar, of Scottish Women’s Aid, said:“The messages in this animation have come directly from young people we work with who were so keen to reach out to other children and young people to let them know they are not alone and there is help and support available to them when they choose to talk.

“Each young person has had a positive experience of being listened to by Women’s Aid staff and wanted to encourage others to reach out to the national helpline for support.

“The young people involved have been incredible; they have guided the animators from the very start, detailing what it feels like for young people during lockdown, what their daily lives are likely to involve and what other young people would respond to, proving that young people are the experts in their own experiences.”

Claire Dean, director of Media Co-Op, added: “We started with a virtual workshop, where our team listened to the young people telling us what would help others in a similar situation.

“The overriding messages were ‘you’re not alone’ and ‘we’re here for you’.

“The result is an authentic and vital peer-to-peer message that we hope will reach young people who desperately need help and support.

“And all this was created despite the restrictions of the Covid-19 lockdown.”

To find out more information about Scottish Women’s Aid, visit https://womensaid.scot/