19.01.03
BBC&';s HITTING HOME: Tackling Domestic Violence Head-On |
(London, England, January 2003) - For many people in the UK, domestic violence is a fact of daily life.
Hitting Home is a special BBC season, from 15 to 23 February 2003, featuring bold and inspiring programmes across TV, radio and BBCi that will help break down the taboos and abolish the myths surrounding this sensitive subject.
Working closely with the relevant specialist agencies, Hitting Home brings to the fore the many issues involved in abusive relationships, showing that anyone can be affected, irrespective of age, gender, sexuality or social status.
As well as informing a wider public, Hitting Home provides encouragement and support for all those affected by domestic violence.
Lorraine Heggessey, Controller BBC ONE, says: "Hitting Home is a significant landmark in BBC ONE's Winter schedule. We are hoping that it will increase awareness and understanding of this issue that affects so many, yet is so often swept under the carpet."
Through real-life stories, expert advice and celebrity testimony, Hitting Home features in primetime and Daytime BBC ONE programming, storylines in Casualty and Neighbours, a powerful, intimate documentary, Dangerous Love - Tales Of Domestic Violence, Hitting Home - Trevor And Little Mo and Panorama.
CBBC shows a specially-written drama and Newsround feature; Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 4, the Asian Network, 1Xtra and BBC Local Radio are all making programmes for Hitting Home; there's a BBC THREE documentary; Storyville on BBC FOUR; and films on BBC ONE, BBC TWO and BBC FOUR.
Further support, advice and features are available on an extensive website - www.bbc.co.uk/hittinghome (live on Wednesday 5 February) - and from a freephone advice line - 08000 934 934.
Seetha Kumar, Head of BBC Lifeskills, explains: "Domestic violence is a subject the BBC can explore in an accessible way - through popular soaps, children's drama, documentaries and radio programmes - to help break down taboos.
"Looking not only at the misery it causes, but also at the bravery survivors' stories offer, and perpetrators facing responsibility, it's important that Hitting Home offers hope, and reflects the universality of the issue - domestic violence affects us all and is all of our problem."
There are the practicalities, for example, finding refuge and accommodation and battling through a minefield of legal issues, which can seem like an endless uphill struggle.
So numerous are the consequences of domestic violence that the burden it places on society, both economically and socially, is virtually impossible to quantify.
Kacey Ainsworth (EastEnders' Little Mo) says: "It is time more people realise that domestic violence crosses all boundaries and also that it's not just about violence.
"Domestic abuse takes on many forms, such as financial, mental and physical, which are less visible and sometimes forgotten about."
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