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Bradford City FC Community Foundation has collaborated with the Club, Bradford Council and the Foundation’s PAC team to produce a short film which seeks to raise awareness of, and support those affected by, issues of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Watch the film here:
Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, the Foundation’s Director of Operations, said: “The Foundation fully supports efforts to curb the alarming numbers of domestic incidents locally, regionally and nationally, and we are proud to play our part in raising awareness of an issue that affects so many across the country. We hope the film and informative materials our team has generated, alongside the Council and our PAC team, will make those impacted by the issues of domestic abuse and sexual violence feel both informed and supported.”
Current statistics state that nationally, one in four women, and one in six men (source: National Centre for Domestic Abuse) are victims of domestic abuse and violence. The film aims to demonstrate these statistics by using the power of the City badge and its supporter base, with men and women gathering in the Valley Parade stands to embody and demonstrate these figures.
Nicole Stott, Manager at Bradford Council’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence team, said:
“Great strength can come from combining sport, social responsibility and raising the profile of issues that really matter. The ‘Not OK. Never OK’ joint campaign between the Bradford City Community Foundation, Bradford City AFC and ourselves hopefully does just that.”
“For anyone in the stands here at Valley Parade who may need support either for themselves or for loved ones regarding domestic abuse and sexual violence, hopefully now they’ll know where to reach out to for help and advice. Our thanks go to everyone involved in this joint partnership and for taking a stand against abuse.”
The film was devised by the Foundation alongside Bradford Council’s expert domestic abuse and sexual violence team, and shot and edited by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi, a freelance filmmaker and member of the Foundation’s PAC team.
It directs viewers to specialist information and support services across the District for victims, their family and friends, and information too for anyone seeking to change their abusive behaviour.
The film, which emphasises the key message ‘Not OK. Never OK.’, is a collaborative venture featuring Bradford City Men’s First Team stars, the Foundation’s Peer Action Collective team, Bradford City supporters and members of the local community, and the Foundation’s Football and Education students all pledging their support to the cause. It was filmed at the University of Bradford Stadium and City’s Woodhouse Grove training base.
The film will launch on the stadium’s big screen during City’s final home game of the season vs Newport County on Saturday 27th April. It will also be published across social media on the same day.
The video campaign is supplemented by physical materials, emphasising its key messages and offering avenues of support for victims, which will be placed throughout the University of Bradford Stadium, and the Foundation’s City Hub.
If you are affected by the issues raised in this film, please visit: https://bradford-dasv.co.uk/