‘Tackling the Taboo’ will bring together a representative panel of journalists, filmmakers, a charity founder, as well as a rape survivor and campaigner, to share their insights and experience of working within these types of production approaches and parameters.

Meet the panel

Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott is a rape survivor and campaigner who shares her own experience of the criminal justice system to advocate for change.

Her story was highlighted in the BBC Three documentary ‘Sexsomnia; Case Closed?’ which followed her battle for justice after the Crown Prosecution Service wrongfully dropped her case. 

Jade waived her anonymity to speak publicly about the mistakes in her case, and the devastating emotional impact, in the hope that it will lead to improvements for other victims of rape and sexual assault.

‘Sexsomnia: Case Closed?’ was awarded ‘Best Current Affairs Programme’ at the Broadcast Digital Awards in 2023.

In 2008 Polly Harrar identified a gap in service provision for women who have been, or are at risk of being disowned, and who require long-term support towards leading a successful independent life without fear. As a result, she set up The Sharan Project: A specialist charity that supports South Asian women affected by abuse or persecution. 

Amongst her many accolades, Polly is an Associate at the London Policing College, specialising in Domestic Abuse and Harmful Practice interventions and also holds a master’s degree in Policing, with a focus on Investigating Serious Crime. 

On 10th December 2020, Polly developed and launched the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) which is the third cross-Government supported UK Covenant, and the first ever Covenant that addresses Domestic Abuse. 

SUKKI is a writer, director, and humanitarian. Best known for the Netflix Original docuseries ‘Singapore Social’, she is also a campaigner for freedom of expression within the performing arts in Singapore. Her award-nominated short film, ‘I SEE HER’, has been officially selected for several festivals including the BAFTA and BIFA qualifying British Urban Film Festival.  The film seeks to sensitively educate the public on taking action when they see signs of abuse in women and girls and has been made in close collaboration with The Sharan Project.

Both SUKKI and Polly were recognised as a part of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, with Polly receiving a High Commendation in 2013.

Blanca Munoz is an experienced multi-platform producer and trained journalist with experience in sensitive access stories and dealing with vulnerable contributors in foreign and hostile environments. After seven years of working for high-profile teams across BBC News and Current Affairs, Blanca decided to launch her freelance career in documentary making last year, which led her to film with female survivors of the Rwandan genocide, Ukrainian civilians being trained for the frontline and tribal communities in the Peruvian Amazonian jungle. Among her latest UK work, Blanca helped produce and shoot the award-winning film Sexsomnia: Case Closed and Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings, investigating the separation of brothers and sisters by the UK care system. Blanca specialises in field work, sometimes spending long periods of time on location and within the realities she strives to portray.

Ashni Lakhani is a multimedia producer and director known for crafting investigative, current affairs documentaries tailored to 18-34-year-old audiences. Her work is distinguished by its unique investigative style, expanding audience reach, and making a significant national impact in influencing legislative changes.

Her documentaries have been commissioned by prestigious channels like BBC Three, BBC News, and BBC One. Notably, she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming one of the youngest directors to produce and direct a BBC Panorama programme last year.

Ashni's dedication lies in unveiling stories often side-lined by the mainstream news agenda. Her subjects encompass the safety of controversial cosmetic procedures, such as "Turkey Teeth," and weight loss surgery. She has also examined the impact of leaked explicit images, particularly among South Asian women, and portrays the lives of young people navigating the stigma of living with HIV.

Ashni's contributions have garnered recognition in the form of a nomination for the Young Journalist of the Year 2023 by the Society of Editors as well as an invitation to join BAFTA, acknowledging her influence on digital journalism.

The panel will be moderated by Kim Rowell, Managing Editor, News Production, ITN & Trustee & Board Member, UN Women UK and RTS Technology Centre committee member.