Film, TV & Script Consultancy
Domestic Abuse & VAWG
I bring a rare combination of specialist domestic abuse expertise and first-hand creative experience, helping writers and production teams portray the realities of navigating complex systems with psychological nuance and dramatic credibility.
Professional Expertise
Psychology, Research & Specialist Training
01 — Professional Credentials
I hold a BSc in Psychology with Criminology and have published academic research examining domestic abuse and immigration. I am a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and DRIVE practitioner, trained to work with high-risk perpetrators, alongside specialist safeguarding and domestic abuse training.
02 — Systems & Strategic Experience
Working Across Systems
My experience spans both adult and children’s social care, local government and the VCSE sector. I have chaired MARAC, coordinated a politically sensitive Domestic Homicide Review and led VAWG and safeguarding work, including developing policies on safety and abuse.
03 — Frontline Expertise
Understanding Abuse in Practice
I have worked directly with hundreds of victims across hundreds of cases, alongside specialist experience working with high-risk perpetrators. This gives me an in-depth understanding of abusive relationships, coercive control, risk and the realities of navigating the systems that victims encounter.
The Creative Lens
As a Meisner and Improv trained actress and writer, my work spans the BBC, feature films like The Stoic, and commercial campaigns. This artistic background, blended with my deep professional knowledge of domestic abuse, enables me to provide production teams with unique, authentic narrative insights for the screen.
Authenticity & Nuance
I help writers and production teams portray not only the dynamics of abuse, but the reality of navigating the systems that victims encounter afterwards - from reporting and risk assessment to housing, family courts, criminal justice and support services. I help to avoid misleading and harmful stereotypes and ensure that these journeys are represented with authenticity viewers can relate to.
Services
SCRIPT & STORY
Authenticity, story development, character dynamics, coercive control, research and script notes. Accurate representation of the survivor’s journey through the system.
SYSTEMS & SURVIVOR JOURNEYS
Accurate portrayal of reporting, risk assessment, police, courts, housing and support services from survivor’s POV. Multi-agency/system accuracy. Domestic abuse policy and practice.
CHARACTER & ACTOR CONSULTANCY
Victim/survivor and perpetrator characterisation, psychological realism and actor preparation. Accurate representation of interventions available. Scene/relationship dynamics. Performance coaching around abusive dynamics (based on the Meisner technique).
PRODUCTION CONSULTANCY
Props, costume, sets, production planning, directors, ADs and on-set advice. Realistic portrayal of statutory services accessible to survivors.
RESEARCH & AUTHENTICITY
Domestic abuse, VAWG, criminal justice, housing, family courts, immigration, support services and perpetrator interventions. Review of reporting, risk assessment and safeguarding storylines.
WRITERS' ROOM / DEVELOPMENT
Ongoing consultancy throughout development, including writers' rooms and story development.
CONTINUITY & FACT-CHECKING
Checking scripts, scenes and production materials for accuracy and consistency.
About me
Expertise & Credentials
Hi, I'm Anna.
I’m a domestic abuse and VAWG specialist, writer and trained actress with over 10 years’ experience working with victims, high-risk perpetrators and complex cases.
I’m a qualified IDVA (Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor) and DRIVE practitioner, with specialist experience working with both victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. I have worked directly with hundreds of victims across hundreds of cases. I have specialist knowledge of domestic abuse across criminal, civil, housing, immigration and public law, and understand the realities of navigating these systems. I have chaired MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference), coordinated a Domestic Homicide Review and led systems work to improve trauma-informed practice. I am a published academic author, with research examining the intersection of domestic abuse and immigration.
I also delivered a far-reaching healthy relationships project for young women, which led to me speaking about the project and its findings in the House of Lords.
Alongside my professional experience, I’m a Meisner (two years American training) and Improv trained actress and writer. My screen credits include BBC television’s Out There, feature film The Stoic (currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and Apple TV), and commercial work for Lloyds Banking Group, alongside experience working with independent production companies.
I bring a rare combination of specialist domestic abuse expertise and first-hand creative experience, helping writers and production teams portray not only the dynamics of abuse, but the reality of navigating the systems that victims encounter afterwards — from reporting and risk assessment to housing, family courts, criminal justice and support services. I help ensure that these journeys are represented with authenticity, psychological nuance and dramatic credibility.
Contact me
info@understory.co.uk