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Billie Piper has said that “shaming” or “dismissing” young people can only be counterproductive in tackling misogyny and violence against women.
The 42 year old man I hate Suzie The actor was speaking at an event to mark the launch of a new short film released by domestic abuse charity Refuge, starring Piper as she retells the testimonies of survivors who have experienced coercive control by an abusive partner.
When asked how boys and girls can foster healthier relationships from a young age, Piper told the audience that she is very worried and worried about the external influences that young children face, referencing the output of misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate.
“I think it's incredibly important that we educate our sons and daughters on how to treat each other with respect. [and] equally,” he said.
“The education [on domestic abuse] It has to be extended to young people. “You can’t dismiss them or shame them in any way that pushes them further toward these really toxic numbers, because that’s so easy to do.”
Piper, who has been a Refuge ambassador since 2022, said she struggles with knowing how to supervise her children's online consumption. The actress shares sons Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with ex-husband Laurence Fox. She shares daughter Tallulah, four, with Johnny Lloyd.
“There's also the argument of 'don't give your child a phone' or 'don't let them go online.' But do you know how realistic that is? she said. “There is this idea…press the phone. Listen, I'm in the middle of this trying to figure it out myself right now, so I don't have all the answers.”
“It is very difficult to apply police techniques over the telephone and it is difficult because you have to be intelligent. But I think it starts with your messages. It doesn't start by telling kids that everyone is horrible. That's not going to work. “Historically there has been a problem with that.”
Piper stars in the short film called Make the world a refugewhich explores the different forms that domestic violence can take.
In the film, the actor reads real-life testimonies from survivors of domestic abuse, allowing their stories to be heard while protecting their anonymity.
Testimonies include examples of coercive control, technology-facilitated abuse, and financial abuse, in addition to physical violence. It shows how domestic abuse can come in many forms, such as tracking a survivor's phone or isolating them from family and friends.
The campaign video comes as the independent has launched an appeal with Refuge to raise £300,000 to build a safe home for women escaping abusive partners.
The charity reports that one in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, but there is a national shortage of safe spaces, meaning a woman desperate to escape is turned away from a refuge every two hours. throughout the country.
The Brick by Brick campaign has been backed by a number of high-profile celebrities, including Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Patrick Stewart, Olivia Colman and David Morrissey, who have been appealing for donations to create a safe home for the victims. of domestic abuse. .
Be a brick, buy a brick and donate here or text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15.
