Advertisement

Will Poulter fronts S.T.O.R.M. charity campaign highlighting increase in domestic violence during pandemic

Actor Will Poulter is among a number of high-profile men who have joined a new domestic abuse campaign highlighting the increase in violence at home during the pandemic.

The BAFTA rising star winner, 27, appears in one of six new films released today as part of the national campaign from the charity S.T.O.R.M.

The campaign aims to highlight the “shadow pandemic” of domestic abuse since the introduction of lockdown restrictions earlier this year. The Metropolitan Police received 3,474 domestic violence reports between January and September, up 6.1 per cent on the same period last year.

The charity has collaborated with director Bexy Cameron to create a series of powerful films, featuring Poulter, who starred in The Revenant and Midsommer. Others taking part include BAFTA nominee Steven Mackintosh, entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, Tory mayoral candidate for London Shaun Bailey, professional kick boxer and actor Warren Brown and the rugby league star Jamie Peacock.

Each of the films feature one of the famous names reading out real stories of survivors.

BAFTA rising star winner Will Poulter , 27, appears in one of six new films released today as part of the national campaign from the charity S.T.O.R.M.(Ian West/PA Wire)
BAFTA rising star winner Will Poulter , 27, appears in one of six new films released today as part of the national campaign from the charity S.T.O.R.M.(Ian West/PA Wire)

S.T.O.R.M has also launched a petition calling on the government to provide 20,000 hotel spaces for victims as the nation prepares for tighter lockdown measures.

The creators said men were used in the campaign to “create a sense of allyship” and to prove to victims “they are not alone.”

Marie Hanson, the charity’s founder, said: “Ending domestic violence is a shared responsibility, this campaign is to show victims that they are not alone. Help is out there, but we also need the support of the government.”

Cameron worked with survivors of domestic abuse who were willing to share their stories in order to raise awareness of the issue and help other victims in a similar situations. She said: “Using men as the face of this campaign was important, we wanted to create a sense of allyship, to provide role modelling, and take the onus off of the victim where it so often falls.”

Idris Elba’s wife Sabrina, who is aTrustee of the charity, added: "Sabrina Elba “There a victims of domestic violence facing another lockdown in hyper dangerous environments, we cannot stand by while this happens and the government needs to step in, now."

Watch the videos here. The petition can be found here: chng.it/2w4zM7Tyqj

Read more

Domestic violence pushes this year's London killings over 100

Expert advice about domestic violence during lockdown

Domestic violence arrests in virus lockdown reach 100 a day in London