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Students’ films aim to help young people see the chains of domestic abuse

Four powerful short films highlighting different forms of domestic abuse are to be shown to young people throughout the county, after media students from City College Norwich were commissioned by partners including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk.

Helping young people to understand what constitutes domestic abuse, and to be better able to recognise it if it is occurring in their own lives or the lives of those around them, are key aims of the #SeeTheChains films. Focussing on everyday situations, the films portray scenarios involving controlling behaviour, emotional blackmail, jealousy and physical violence.

For this vitally important information and awareness campaign, the Norfolk County Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Board (DASVB) wanted the films to be relevant and in tune with young people’s lives.  So, despite the challenging subject matter, it was a natural step to commission a group of young people to produce the films.

The project was taken on by students on the Media Learning Company course at City College Norwich.  The 1-year Foundation course operates like a media production company and sees students taking on commissions from a variety of external clients throughout the year.

A new domestic abuse training package incorporating the #SeeTheChains films is being made available free to schools across the county targeting students from Year 7 through to 6th form*.

Views of City College Norwich students involved in making the #SeeTheChains films:

Meg Atkinson, 19, from Diss, who has gone on from City College Norwich to start a degree in Broadcast Journalism at Nottingham Trent University, commented:

“The films are very gripping and have a strong message.  I hope these films will help people to recognise abuse and recognise that it could be happening in their lives, whether they know someone who is being abused, or they are being abused, or are the abuser.  I hope that they will help people to recognise abuse and see where they can go to for help.”

Andy Prosser, 29, from Norwich, who is now working as a camera operator / editor for Eye Film, added:

“One of the interesting things about the films is that they speak to both the perpetrators and the victims of domestic abuse.  I hope it raises questions in people’s minds about what domestic abuse actually is and gets them to think about whether they could see themselves becoming either a perpetrator or a victim.  The films highlight that domestic abuse isn’t limited to the physical side, and that a lot of the time it is about mental and psychological abuse.”

Gavin Thompson, chair of the DASVB and Director of Policy and Commissioning for the OPCCN, said: “Domestic abuse can blight the life of anyone from any age or background. We felt it was really important to engage young people in Norfolk to see how they felt they could most effectively spread the message about such a serious issue to their fellow peers.

“We are delighted with the outcome of the project by students at City College Norwich. Each film delivers a powerful impact while helping to point the viewer in the right direction for help and support.

“By applying their creative skills the students came up with an impressive suite of high-class products and it is really positive to hear they will be shown as part of a training package in schools in the county - young people helping young people has to be the way forward.”

#SeeTheChains short films

The four films can be viewed on the City College Norwich YouTube channel: The Norfolk County Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Board (DASVB)

The Norfolk County Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Board (DASVB) brings together a wide range of partners in tackling domestic abuse. The DASVB is delivering on a Norfolk County Council Safety Partnership Priority. Partners include:
  • Norfolk District Councils
  • Norfolk County Council
  • Norfolk Constabulary
  • Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service
  • Norfolk’s Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • National Probation Service (Norfolk & Suffolk)
  • Norfolk & Suffolk Community Rehabilitation Company
  • The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN)
*The training material will be made available to schools via the Education Solutions website in due course.