New documentary shines light on healthcare responses to violence against women
A powerful new documentary film, created through the Healthcare Responding to Violence and Abuse (HERA) study, captures the transformative potential of healthcare systems to support women affected by domestic violence. The film was created to amplify women’s voices, shed light on their experiences, and explore how healthcare providers in low-resource settings can better respond to domestic violence.
The HERA study, funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Group on Health System Responses to Violence Against Women in low- and middle-income countries is a collaboration between the University of Bristol, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Sāo Paulo, An-Najah National University, Kathmandu University and the University of Peradeniya.
The Group worked closely with local communities and healthcare professionals in Brazil, the occupied Palestinian Territories of the West Bank, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The film is the result of this collaborative research and engagement, documenting not only the challenges faced by women seeking help but also the promising changes taking place within healthcare systems.
The documentary aims to raise awareness among policymakers, practitioners, and the public about the critical role of the health system in identifying and supporting women experiencing violence. It is also intended to foster dialogue, inspire reflection, and influence the training and practices of healthcare professionals globally.
Josh Feder at Rushmore Films LTD produced the film, working closely with local film makers in each country, researchers, healthcare workers, and women with lived experience of violence to create a film that is both emotionally compelling and policy-relevant. It features first-hand accounts and powerful storytelling that highlight the urgent need for survivor-centred, culturally sensitive healthcare responses.
Professor Loraine Bacchus, Co-Director of HERA, Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “We wanted to make this film to ensure the voices of women are at the centre of how we understand and improve the healthcare response to violence against women. It’s not just a film, but a tool for advocacy, education, and change.”
Professor Gene Feder, Co-Director of HERA, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, said: “Our film weaves together patients who have survived violence with the clinicians and other health care service providers who delivered the HERA programme across the four countries in which they were piloted and evaluated. This vivid tapestry represents the impact of HERA, illuminating our study findings.”
Dr Manuela Colombini, Co-Director of the Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "I hope this film drives action among policymakers, health managers, and healthcare providers to ensure every woman seeking support is met with empathy, compassion, and appropriate care."
The film was funded by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s UKRI GCRF and Newton Fund Consolidation Account and other ODA awards.
About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:
Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system; Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low- and middle-income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.
About the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol The Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol is a leading centre for primary care research in the UK, one of ten forming the NIHR School for Primary Care Research. It sits within Bristol Medical School, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for population health research and teaching. Follow on Bluesky: @capcbristol.bsky.social, X: @capcbristol and LinkedIn.
About the Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine The Gender Violence and Health Centre (GVHC) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a global leader in research on gender-based violence against women and children. The Centre informs evidence-based prevention strategies, strengthens health systems, and advances policies and interventions to improve safety, health, and well-being of women and children worldwide.
About the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) is one of the leading medical schools in Brazil and Latin America, renowned for its commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and healthcare. Established in 1912 and with a strong emphasis on research, FMUSP contributes significantly to advancements in medical science and public health. Based in the Preventive Medicine Department, the Research and Intervention Group on Gender, Violence and Health Services led the Brazilian branch of the HERA study. The research group was established in 1994, a pioneer in advancing studies of violence against women and the responses of the health sector in Brazil.
About An-Najah National University An-Najah National University, located in Nablus, Palestine, is one of the leading and largest institutions of higher education in the Palestinian territories. Founded in 1977, it has grown into a prominent university with a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various fields, including engineering, medicine, humanities, and sciences. The university is known for its commitment to academic excellence, research, and community engagement. An-Najah fosters a vibrant academic environment, encouraging innovation and critical thinking while addressing social, economic, and cultural issues relevant to Palestinian society and beyond. Through its partnerships and international collaborations, the university continues to contribute to regional development and support sustainable progress in higher education.
About the Center for Research at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital The Center for Research at Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUH) aims to establish a center for innovative, high quality health-related research to inform evidence-based policy for equitable and just health policies to improve lives of people through multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary research. By doing so, the center intends to create a platform for research development for the faculties, students that fosters a culture of excellence and continuous strategies. Furthermore, the center also believes to translate research outcomes for societal impact through partnerships and collaboration to drive research and innovations at national and international communities.
About the University of Peradeniya The University of Peradeniya is one of the oldest universities in Sri Lanka and was established besides the banks of the Mahaweli river, in the Central Province of the country, in 1952. It is a large, residential campus, with faculties of medicine, engineering, arts, science and economics, to name a few. It is a very scenic university, spread over more than 700 hectares. The University accommodates well over 10,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and is run by the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka.
