Violence against women and girls, or VAWG has been priority for police for some years, yet the epidemic of violence against women, perpetrated by men, shows no signs of abating. How should factual television respond? How do we avoid glamourising the perpetrators, or encouraging a climate of fear, while also drawing public attention to this vital topic? Where is the balance between producing entertaining and engaging television while avoiding exploiting trauma or pain?
This RTS special event brings together the film-makers and victims' families from three extraordinary BAFTA and RTS winning films that have all gained critical acclaim, audiences and awards:
Two Daughters - in this BBC film Stacey Dooley followed Mina Smallman for a year through the trial of the murderer of her daughters Bibaa and Nicole. The film also covered the IOPC investigations into the mishandling of the girls' missing persons case, and into the actions of officers on site who took selfies of themselves with the girls’ bodies. The film was made without any co-operation from the Metropolitan Police.
Panellists: Stacey Dooley and Mina Smallman.
Libby, are you home yet? - In this BAFTA winning Sky documentary series Anna Hall painstakingly reconstructs the police investigation into the disappearance of Libby Squire. With the full support of the police, the film retraces every step of the detectives on the case, while at the same time Libby is brought vividly back to life through her family and friends. The contrast between the responses of police officers to Libby’s disappearance and Mina’s daughters is striking.
Panellists: Anna Hall (director), Lisa Squire (Libby’s mum)
24 Hours in Police Custody: Part of Channel Four’s BAFTA, RTS, and Grierson nominated series 24 Hours in Police Custody, this film follows an unfolding investigation by Bedfordshire Police involving violence against women and girls.
Panellist: Jermaine Blake (Series Director)
Hosted by Sean Fletcher, in collaboration with RTS London, Women in Film and TV, BAFTA, and We Are Doc Women.
The panel discussion will be followed by questions from the audience. The RTS East Awards for On Screen Personality will then be presented to Mina Smallman and Stacey Dooley.
