Filmmaker war against rape

The growing gang-rape culture is a disturbing reality in the United Kingdom. Alita Simpson, a film graduate from the renowned University of the Arts in London, is no stranger to the devastating consequences of this insidious crime, which is not only happening in the remote villages of Pakistan, or war-torn Rwanda.

"In 2009, a group of young women, known personally to me, were victims of an alarming incident involving six men that may well have resulted in a group rape, as part of a gang initiation," said Simpson.

"It is for this reason that I decided to launch the WAGR (War Against Group Rape) awareness campaign."

The south London-born 31-year-old has worked with the UK Film Council and various independent production companies as a freelance filmmaker specialising in public-service documentaries for local councils, as well as producing and directing a number of independent short films and music videos.

Figures based on research by the Metropolitan Police Service show an increase in group rape in London. There were 275 cases in 2006, 227 cases in 2007, 231 cases in 2008, 343 cases in 2009, and 399 in 2010 - a total of 1,475 cases.

Levelling this figure out over five years amounts to a shocking five cases a week.

"The attack against my friends is not an isolated incident. In fact, group rape or multi-perpetrator rape is becoming commonplace in London. The victims and perpetrators are predominately young people," Simpson explained.

"It is for this reason that I decided to use film and expressive arts as a way to raise awareness of the crime, as I feel that second to music, film is one of the most powerful tools that can impart a message that will inform, engage and inspire change."

Simpson was so eager to address these issues that she set up her company using her own finances. She launched Eyes Wide Open Productions in 2010 with two partners, Shirley Reid and Dana Osman, who are managing directors of the company.

"I formed the company with the sole aim of using film, TV and theatre productions to highlight subject matters that are still taboo in our society," she continued.

"WAGR is looking to highlight the increase of group rape in London and the lack of public awareness of the crime.

"The key to preventing it will be changing the way young men view women and the kind of group sexual activity they are engaging in.

structured involvement

Simpson also pointed out the need for the structured involvement of the government.

"I feel that the government could give more support to victim support agencies and not brush it under the Big Society agenda. It should be compulsory to discuss these crimes as part of the curriculum in schools and, of course, give harsher (and longer) sentences to the perpetrators."

Like many young companies, Eyes Wide Open Productions will need to look at securing funding to take the project to the next level. The company's directors are planning a series of information-awareness seminars and fund-raising events, as well as tapping obvious places like the Arts Council for financial assistance.

The long-term goal is to use this campaign to spread the message through media training, education-awareness programmes and a national road show that has young people participating in front of and behind the camera.

"In conclusion, WAGR is committed to changing men's attitudes towards women and sex, as ending rape requires men's participation," said Simpson.

"Through my company, I want to change the attitudes of the public and media towards this crime, making it an area of concern that is no longer taboo within the community."

For further information visit: www.ewo-productions.co.uk