Interviews Scripts

The codes and conventions of an documentary interview normally would be that the interviewee is an actual victim or witness and would be very naturalistic to convey realism. However, I was unable to contact any real victims therefore, the interviews have to be scripted in order to simulate the realism that the interview would usually give in a real documentary.

Victim 1 - Physical
Interviewer: What age did you first experience abuse?
Interviewee: “It all started at the age of 7, when my mum left my dad for another man.”

Interviewer: What do you think prompted the abuse?
Interviewee: "It was a mixture of things really. Both the break up and the drink... was a downward spiral from there."

Interviewer: Where and how did he hurt you?
Interviewee: "Well it started off at home with just a few pushes and shoves... But he started to get more and more violent. It got to the stage, when he saw I couldn't defend myself, where he would hit me for no reason.

Interviewer: You kept the abuse secret for so long, how did you keep it from family and friends?
Interviewee: "However I could... lies... make-up


Interviewer: What is your most vivid memory?
Interviewee: "The rape... I was only 10. It's strange because the abuse had actually calmed down a bit, really thought he was on the road to recovery. He came home one night and was real angry, he threw me to the floor and hit me repeatedly! I tried to resist but I couldn't... he was too strong. He always said "your mum was always as weak as you, that's why I loved her".

Interviewer: How has it affected you as a person?
Interviewee: "I find it really hard to trust people... but I have some really good friends. Getting my life on track... Finally getting the life I could only dream of.


Interviewer: Can you remember the day that you told your grandparents about the abuse?
Interviewee: Yeah, was the hardest thing I've ever done. I physically couldn't take anymore pain... my body was screaming, I had to tell someone. Cried for hours.

Victim 2 - Emotional
Interviewer: What age did you first experience abuse?
Interviewee: “Ever since I can remember, she used to call me names whenever I did anything slightly wrong.”

Interviewer: How often were you abused?
Interviewee: “Almost all the time. She used to tell me I was good for nothing. I was wrong. I had no one, no friends. It was constant.”

Interviewer: Did you ever think about telling anyone?
Interviewee: “Yeah, lots of times. But no one would have believed me. She was so nice to everyone and well respected by colleagues and friends.”

Interviewer: Did the abuse take place outside of the family home?
Interviewee: “No, never. I think she knew she was a terrible parent and was embarrassed by me. Whenever she went out she used to leave me home alone. I was left home alone from the age of 7. In a way it was a good thing because I had time to myself where there was no abuse and I could do what I wanted. I learnt how to look after myself from a very young age.”

Interviewer: Do you blame yourself?
Interviewee: “I don’t know sometimes I think I could have done more but I don’t think it would have changed how she was with me.”

Expert - NSPCC
Interviewer: Tell us a bit about your organisation
Interviewee: We're inspired by a belief that we can make a difference for all children. That’s why we aim to end cruelty to children in the UK. The NSPCC will never be big enough to be able to help every child who needs us but we aim to reach out to public and demonstrate what our organisation is about to help put a stop to child abuse.

Interviewer: What is ChildLine?
Interviewee: ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential helpline dedicated to children and young people. It's open 24/7 and is accessible to every child in the UK for advice and help of abuse related issues.

Interviewer: In the last ten years, what have been your biggest achievements?
Interviewee: Since the creation of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) which the NSPCC campaigned for, more than 166 networks of sex offenders have been dismantled. More than 750,000 children, young people and families through our local services.

Interviewer: Is there anyway that the general public can get involved?
Interviewee: Yes, most definitely! Every year we rely on public donations for around 85 per cent of our funds. Your fundraising and campaigning are a huge part of the struggle to eliminate child abuse. Every penny counts.