Crush

Reporter asks: So Kevin why are we at Vue cinema today then?

Kevin answers: We are at the Vue Cinema this morning to witness the premier of a play called Crush. Crush started in Chesterton Youth Club a group of young people were approached by Newcastle Borough Council’s domestic violence unit to ask would they like to part of a play highlighting domestic violence and showcasing the evils of dominance in relationships.

Reporter asks: OK so what is the aim of this scheme them?

Kevin answers: The aim of the scheme is to highlight to young people that they don’t need to tolerate domineering relationships which could form the basis of domestic violence in later life. And to highlight to them that positive relationships are what they should strive for, where two partners work together to produce a loving relationship.

Reporter asks: So Julie how was Borderlines involved in the film?

Julie answers: We have been working with Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council for a number of years now on domestic violence projects and a couple of years ago we did a touring play called Crush. It was decided that we would work with Chesterton Youth Club and community to turn the play into a short film not necessarily based on the story in the play, but on the issues that might have come up with the young people based at Chesterton youth club, so we went into the youth club a couple of times in the two weeks leading up to the half-term and interviewed some of the students on what they thought domestic violence meant to them. And then worked during the half term week turning those issues and some other issues that came up during that week into what you just saw in the film.

Reporter asks: Do you think the scheme has been worth doing and if so why?

Kevin answers: I think the scheme has been well worth doing because even if the small group of people who took part in the acting of the play if it changes their views of domestic violence that will be a major success. It appears that the DVD may be shown at many schools. The more schools that it goes to gets the message to young people throughout the Borough that positive relationships are the way forward and as a society we can completely eradicate domestic violence.