A powerful new initiative has just launched, aiming to raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls among young women aged 16-21 in Glasgow

The short film, Where We Stop, written by actor, writer, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate and Glasgow Girls Club alumni, Molly Geddes, aims to raise awareness about Violence Against Women and Girls amongst young women and direct them to information, support, and services available in Glasgow.

The campaign was brought to Glasgow by the Lord Provost Cllr Jacqueline McLaren, as part of The Carter Center’s Inform Women, Transform Lives initiative, a global effort by the renowned non-governmental organisation to increase the number of women accessing critical information about City services available so they can find the support they need.

The short film, written by Geddes, was created in partnership through a series of focus groups and script-writing workshops with girls and young women from across Glasgow to ensure its impact and sensitivity. The film tackles themes relating to Violence Against Women and Girls head-on, highlighting the real experiences of those affected by the issue, including the theme of coercive control and domestic abuse for young women.

Where We Stop follows main character Sophie and her friends on their usual bus route, in their usual seats. It begins with them excitedly discussing Sophie’s upcoming date with Jack. It then cuts to Sophie and Jack on the bus, presumably on their first date, with the pair awkwardly interacting but ultimately sharing a laugh together.

The film takes the viewer on an intense, glitching time-lapse of their relationship, gradually revealing that not everything is as it seems as Jack’s behaviour becomes increasingly coercive, controlling and abusive. The final scene features a call-to-action signposting viewers to Sophie’s Stop, an app built in partnership with Glasgow Girls Club and Glasgow City Council – with guidance and information on available services.

By exploring often-overlooked early warning signs of abuse and relationship coercion and challenging the misconception that these issues primarily affect older women, the film’s powerful storytelling aims to resonate with young women, challenging harmful stereotypes and encouraging them to take action.

Longtime Glasgow Girls Club member Geddes, who has drawn from her own experiences and insights gathered from recent focus groups, has been developing the film concept over several years through her work with the Club.

Head here to watch the film