Leaving

This twenty-minute short film aims to offer a glimpse into the long and arduous process of safely leaving an abusive relationship, as well as confront the deep-rooted social misconception that those living with domestic violence ‘should just walk away’.

Leaving is a powerful and multi award winning short film drama that tells the story of Helen (Kierston Wareing, BAFTA Best Actress Nominee - Ken Loache’s It’s a Free World), and her attempt to break free from her violent husband Jim (Johnny Harris, Paul Andrew Williams’ London To Brighton).

“The film is so good and the messages so relevant that I very much hope it can have a national audience.”

– Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales

The film:

• Increases understanding of why leaving abuse can often be so difficult for the victim

• Provides a medium for training people in the public and voluntary sectors to more easily recognise and support people suffering from domestic abuse

• Improves understanding of domestic abuse amongst employers and provides a catalyst for improved workplace policies and procedures to support victims

Your licence includes:

• 1 years access to our streaming platform where you can view the film
• An embeddable version for your presentations watermarked with your company logo and uploaded to a private YouTube link

The supporting training pack includes:

The Good Practice Guide is a supportive training resource which gives information and insights into Helen’s struggle to leave an abusive relationship.

The Illustrated Script offers a deeper understanding of every scene at a finer grained level.

The Character Profile Booklet gives you a further insight and exploration into each of the featured characters.

“This film just hit me harder than any other. It stayed with me and moved me deeply, which is hard to do. Felt it was courageous and painful. It deserves my best vote.”

– Stephen Shaw, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales

Leaving was produced in partnership with Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, Wiltshire Probation, Wiltshire County Council, Swindon Borough Council, Home Office, Swindon Women’s Refuge, SPLITZ, NSPCC, Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce and Westlea Housing.

Throughout production, an advisory team was called upon to ensure that the film would remain truthful and respectful to those it would portray. Advisors included Jenni Manners MBE, whose 30 years of service to victims of domestic violence has earned her significant respect within the field, as well as other notable representatives from the Police and Probation services, and charities such as the NSPCC and SPLITZ.

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