17 January 2025

The Sheriff of York attends exclusive screening for Sexual Violence Awareness Week

For Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2025, Survive presented an exclusive screening of Black Box Diaries.

The 2024 documentary film follows director and journalist Shiori Ito’s courageous investigation of her own sexual assault in an improbable attempt to prosecute her high-profile offender. Unfolding like a thriller and combining secret investigative recordings, vérité shooting and emotional first-person video, Shiori’s quest becomes a landmark case in Japan, exposing the country’s desperately outdated judicial and societal systems.

Supported by York Student Cinema, tickets for the film were free of charge.

Survive’s CEO, Mags Godderidge said, “We were thrilled to be able to show such a powerful film this Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

This film is about a survivor finding her voice: Shiori Ito bravely takes on the man who assaulted her and those who tried to silence her. Not only does she highlight the impact of sexual violence, but also the ways in which society can sometimes side with perpetrators and protect them being held to account.

It is our hope that this film will spark conversations around sexual violence and the ways in which it is addressed within our own communities and our collective responsibility to hold those who shield perpetrators to account whilst showing kindness, care, and compassion to survivors.”

In attendance was Sheriff of York, Fiona Fitzpatrick, and her Consort:

“Thank you so much to Survive for arranging the showing of Black Box Diaries last night at York University cinema. 

It was a harrowing but very powerful reminder of the continual need to suppport and believe the victims of sexual abuse. Black Box Diaries is receiving rave reviews at film festivals and amongst audiences wherever it is shown.

As Sheriff of York, I am very proud to be supporting the excellent work of Survive.”

A huge thank you to DOGWOOF and York Student Cinema for making this screening possible. 

Black Box Diaries is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer: Storyville – Black Box Diaries – BBC iPlayer

 

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