New Vic Theatre - 'Life saving' New Vic Borderlines project takes to the road

'Life saving' New Vic Borderlines project takes to the road

A groundbreaking project described as ‘life-saving’ by the Crown Prosecution Service and Scotland Yard and supported by the Forced Marriage Unit has taken to the road for the third time.

Written by Susan Moffat, Director of award-winning New Vic Borderlines, All Our Daughters? aims to raise the issues surrounding forced marriages and so called 'honour' violence with schoolchildren.

Using testimonies of real women, All Our Daughters? aims to increase understanding of the problem so that children, teachers and other professionals are more prepared to spot tell-tale signs and help those who may be vulnerable.

The drama and accompanying workshops have toured colleges and community venues in Walsall in recent weeks.

Sue Moffat said: “Honour-related crime is different from other forms of violence because of its collective nature – actions are often condoned and kept secret by the family and community. Young people and isolated individuals are particularly vulnerable.

“Pupils and students can disappear, failing to return to college or school following holidays. It is often a friend, a lecturer or teacher who can play an enormous part in spotting a problem.

“We want to put forced marriage on the agenda so that young people know how to access support for each other, and help those who fear honour-based violence or forced marriage to have the confidence to come forward and report their concerns.

“We want to make sure that people understand the difference between arranged marriage - where both parties are involved in the arrangements and give their free consent - and forced marriage, And we want communities to work together and send out powerful messages that there is no honour in violence and abuse.”

All Our Daughters? first toured Staffordshire in 2010 when it received praise from Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Brent Hyatt and Nazir Afzal, Director of the Crown Prosecution Service.

At the time, Detective Inspector Hyatt said: “It is without doubt an enormously worthwhile project that I am sure will significantly contribute to saving lives.”