There was a highlighted need as recognised by Walsall Domestic Violence Forum, NHS Walsall Teenage Pregnancy Team and Walsall Council IYPSS (Integrated Young people’s Support Services) to develop a resource that would effectively raise awareness around domestic abuse for young people, in particular highlighting the links between domestic abuse and teenage pregnancy.

 Walsall Council Creative Development Team (Arts and Health) were commissioned to design, develop and manage a participatory film project that would engage a small group of young people from Mossley Youth Centre in the film making process.

 Young people were successful in writing a bid and received funding from Walsall Integrated Young peoples Support Services – Positive Activities fund by the Youth Opportunities Fund  with additional funding secured from Walsall Teenage Pregnancy Team – NHS Walsall.

 The themes the project aimed to address through local research and NSPCC National Research were:

• Domestic abuse and pregnancy, the links between the two and issues surrounding this
• Control through internet, social networking websites and mobile phones
• The cycle of  domestic abuse
• Modelling healthy relationships supporting young people to advocate healthy relationships
• The support available for young people
• Signposting Walsall young people to any local support if appropriate and available)
• Raising confidence and self esteem

Catcher Media  http://www.catchermedia.co.uk/were commissioned to creatively deliver the project and over 6 weeks of weekly sessions with two small groups of young men and women from Mossley Youth Centre the storyline was created. Throughout the consultation process young people, supported by the drama workers, youth workers and Family Support Assistants from Walsall Domestic Violence Forum explored some of the issues around healthy and unhealthy relationships as well as gaining insight into the film making process.

Filming took place over two days with young people taking part in the filming process both on screen and behind the scenes. Two student actors from Wolverhampton University played the two lead roles.

A documentary film was also made throughout the consultation process to capture behind the scenes footage and project reflections from the young people and staff involved.

The project has resulted in a thought provoking psychological drama that explores and raises awareness to the key issues around domestic abuse for young people to day.

Film Synopsis - Danny and Zoe struggle to maintain a healthy relationship. With the pressures of having a child in their teens and adapting to life as a family, the situation descends into a cycle of domestic abuse until Zoe realises she needs it to stop. Danny has to reassess his behaviour and asks himself, “Is this what you want?” The film confronts the viewer with a fundamental question: will domestic abuse ever get you what you really want?

The film premiere was launched at Bloxwich Library Theatre on 24th March 2011 to an audience of project participants, young people and their families and friends, youth service staff, health and education professionals.

The event was opened by the Co-ordinator for Walsall Domestic Violence Forum, The Mayor of Walsall and NHS Walsall Teenage Pregancy Lead.

The educational DVD resource is currently being distributed borough wide to all professionals who work directly with, and support young people.

This has been an effective partnership project between Catcher Media Ltd, NHS Walsall Teenage Pregnancy Team, Integrated Young people’s Support Services Walsall Council, Walsall Domestic Violence Forum, Prospects and Walsall Council Creative Development Team. 

Quotes from young people’s evaluations around what they have learnt through the project:

 “I have learnt how to work a camera and sound”

 “What I violent relationship is- that it is not just about being hit”

 “How to make a film and work as a team without falling out”

The educational DVD resource contains:

• Main film – short psychological drama
• Facts and supporting information film
• Trailer
• Behind the scenes documentation film
• Workshop films
• Sign posting information including useful websites and contact numbers

The resource is currently being distributed borough wide to all professionals who work directly with, and support young people.

The film has recently been submitted for the ‘Aethetica’ Short Film Competition 2011

 Funded by Integrated Young People’s Support Services Youth Opportunity Fund and NHS Walsall Teenage Pregnancy Team.