I worked with Savera UK’s Direct Intervention team to create this video. They are the team on the frontline helping survivors and those at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices. These practices include child marriage, virginity testing, conversion 'therapy', forced marriage and more. Survivors are at the heart of everything we do, and each Direct Intervention team member is beside them through every step of their savera, ‘new beginning’, and I felt this needed to be shared.
In this video, I wanted to showcase our amazing weekly wellbeing sessions. These sessions aim to improve mental and physical well-being through group activities, like craft workshops, yoga and educational talks. Creating connections and reducing isolation is especially vital with survivors of HBA and harmful practices.
Survivors of this abuse often fear for their safety, especially when the harm they’ve experienced is supported or enforced by their family and wider community. They often face a level of isolation unlike that associated with other forms of abuse. To live safely and free from surveillance or control, they may be forced to leave behind not just their home, but the community and relationships that give them a sense of belonging - leading to a deep and lasting sense of loss.
Savera UK works to rebuild their lives and the confidence they may have lost along the way.
It happens here - despite common misconceptions.
Some context behind the video itself - this was created through a course with The Saltways, focusing on developing impactful storytelling with a mobile phone camera and limited resources for grassroots organisations.
If it made you stop, think, or learn something new - please vote!
Hope you enjoy :)
Savera UK is a leading charity working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and conversion ‘therapy’. It campaigns to eliminate HBA and harmful practices and provides life-saving services including safeguarding and advocacy for those at risk, regardless of age, culture, disability, sexuality, gender or ethnicity.
If you or someone you know is at risk, please contact Savera UK's helpline on 0800 107 0726 (10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, excluding Bank Holidays). You'll speak directly to our specialist team, who will share advice and guidance. If you are at immediate risk please ring 999.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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