News
We recently launched a new video to help Survivors as well as their partners and families understand what Break the Silence offers and whether we’re the right place for them. This wasn’t created in a distant office away from the people we serve – it was shaped, step-by-step, by the voices of those with lived experience. In this post, we take you behind the scenes of the key stages that brought the video to life.
Listening to what survivors told us
The idea for the video came directly from service user feedback. Survivors told us that information about our service needed to be shared in the most direct, easily accessible way. Many people’s first question when they find us is simple but vital: ‘Is this the right place for me?’ We heard clearly that too much text and complex navigation could feel overwhelming, especially for someone reaching out in distress. That feedback became our starting point: to create a short, clear resource that answers the core question quickly and compassionately.
Turning feedback into clear, essential messages
Once we knew why we needed the video, we set about gathering more detailed input from Survivors and service users. We asked what information mattered most at first contact and what could be left out or simplified. This process helped us identify the essential messages that had to be in the video and ensured we weren’t making assumptions about what people need to know. Lived experience was front and centre at every stage, guiding what we included and how we framed it.
Finding a videographer who understands our mission
Creating a video about support for Survivors of sexual violence requires more than technical skill; it needs sensitivity and understanding. In Reverie Films, we found a video team who understood our charity, our mission, and the complexities around trauma and disclosure. That meant we could have open conversations about language, imagery, and pacing, and ensure the filming environment would be calm and respectful. Working with a team that ‘gets it’ made a huge difference to the final look and feel of the video.
Careful working and trauma‑informed content
With the key messages identified, there was no better voice to share them than our clinical and administrative colleagues. They work daily with Survivors and are the point of contact between our service and its users. Our aim was to use plain, accessible language aligned with trauma‑informed principles but we worked without scripts, tapping into the experience, depth of knowledge and empathy that our colleagues have. No jargon, no assumptions – just clear, supportive information for the viewer.
Choosing a space that felt safe and welcoming
Location mattered as much as language. We needed a space that felt safe, welcoming, and representative of our service – not clinical, not intimidating. Eglinton Country Park in North Ayrshire was perfect and we’re grateful to North Ayrshire Council for their support of our filming there.
The park offered a stunning backdrop, the colours and sounds of nature, and many options for recording interviews and B-roll. The team walked through the space with a trauma‑informed lens, considering how it might feel to someone visiting for the first time. The result is a setting that supports the message of the video: that Break the Silence is a place where people can be heard and supported with no pressure and plenty of time.
Filming and bringing it all together
On filming day, the atmosphere was calm and collaborative. The team checked in with everyone, scheduled breaks, and kept the process low‑stress. Details mattered, like how we set up the space and whether people were happy with their responses to camera. We could take a new shoot where needed, and answer the questions in different ways to find the best responses.
In editing, we kept the video short, clear, and focused on the key messages. And we’re excited to say that we commissioned a British Sign Language (BSL) translation of our wonderful video to widen accessibility further. We worked with Edinburgh-based charity Deaf Action, whose expertise in supporting deaf and hard of hearing people has helped ensure the translation is accurate, culturally appropriate, and truly accessible. The BSL version is available to view on our website now.
We’re proud of the video we have created. The final film is a direct response to what survivors told us they needed – a clear, compassionate introduction to our support.
Watch, reflect and share your thoughts
We invite you to watch the video and tell us what you think. Does it answer your questions clearly? Does it feel like the kind of resource you’d want to share with someone who might need our support? Your feedback helps us keep improving how we communicate and ensures our information remains accessible and relevant.
👉 Watch the video here: Can We Help You? – Break the Silence
If you’d like to support our work, you can find ways to get involved on our website.