Human Rights Day

Date Posted: 08/12/2022 Author: Gloria Greganti

Saturday 10th December is Human Rights Day and the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Many organisations shared resources and campaigned for the rights of women and children who experience domestic abuse.

One event, in particular, stuck with me.

Us Too: Alisha’s Story, is a film that highlights the experiences of women with learning disabilities when reporting sexual violence.

Released by Open Clasp Theatre Company and co-created with women with learning disabilities who have experienced domestic abuse, it aims to raise awareness of the multiple injustices women and girls in similar situations face.

Research shows that people, especially women, with learning disabilities are:

more likely to experience sexual assault,

less likely to report it,

and when they do report such crimes to the police, their reports are less likely to result in a conviction.

Alisha is played by Holly Wilkinson, a talented disabled actor with a huge passion for this project.

The women from the ARC #UsToo group have created a powerful film they plan to use in their training sessions to bring the change they want to see.

I encourage everyone to watch the film Us Too: Alisha’s Story.

It is online until 23.30 on 10th December, with tickets starting from £1.

For help and support, contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. The Helpline is available 24/7 for anyone, of any gender or sexuality, who wants support around domestic abuse. You can call on 0800 027 1234 or email and web chat from www.sdafmh.org.uk