JOYCE URGES BROADCASTERS TO SHOW KEIRA KNIGHTLEY ABUSE FILM

Joyce Watson, Labour Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has welcomed an anti-domestic violence film starring actress Keira Knightley and is urging broadcasters to show the film in full.

Joyce, who is running a White Ribbon campaign to get sportsmen involved in combating domestic abuse, was commenting after it was revealed that the Women's Aid advert, run by advertising agency Grey London, was considered too graphic for unrestricted viewing.
The Atonement star plays as an actress attacked by a jealous boyfriend who believes she is having an affair with her co-star. He then throws her to the floor and beats her.

The clip, called The Cut, has been viewed over a million times on YouTube but will only be shown - without restriction - on TV if the scenes of Keira being thrown to the floor and physically attacked are dropped.

Joyce believes that the film should be shown after the 9pm watershed and in full. She has contacted Clearcast, the organisation that works on behalf of commercial broadcasters to clear adverts for viewing.

A spokesman said that there was currently "dialogue" between Clearcast and the advertising agency. Clearcast has proposed changes if the film is going out at any time. He said that even after 9pm, some amendments would have to be made.

Joyce said: "It is really important that this film is shown in full. I believe a watered down version sent out before the 9pm watershed or an amended version after 9pm would miss the point. It is a hard-hitting film but this is what happens and people need to be more aware of this issue. Domestic Violence exists in every section of society, it affects one in four women at some point in their lifetime and kills two women every week. This film is also to raise money for Women's Aid. Without their services, many more women could be at risk of being killed."

Paula Hardy, Chief Executive of Welsh Women's Aid, said: "This film is very realistic and therefore it would be appropriate to show it in its current unamended state after the 9pm watershed. Why should there be a need to waterdown the reality of domestic abuse just because it is being shown on TV?"

For more information contact Joyce Watson AM on 02920 898972 or 07825 699542. Paula Hardy can be contacted on 02920 390874.

The clip is available to view online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt7JZSrDJA8