Alisha's Story of abuse

Published: 27 November 2022
Reporter: David Upton

Holly Wilkinson in Alisha's Story

Co-created with women with learning disabilities who have experience of reporting sexual assault and domestic violence, Open Clasp Theatre Company releases Us Too: Alisha’s Story online December 3, the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Durham University, Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland and Northumbria Police found the criminal justice system creates barriers to justice for people with learning disabilities or autism when reporting rape and sexual assault.

Us Too: Alisha’s Story was co-created by Open Clasp and women from Us Too, a group with learning disabilities, autism or both who have experienced domestic abuse.

Holly Wilkinson plays Alisha in her first professional acting role. A brain injury survivor with autism, Holly said, “performers with disabilities need to be seen and heard! It is really humbling to think this film will go on to help other women and girls in similar situations.”

It also marks Julie Tsang’s writing debut for Open Clasp. Her plays have been performed at Oxford Playhouse, Theatre 503, Soho Theatre, Tron Theatre, Lyceum Theatre and the Pleasance Theatre. Her play The Family Unit was selected for the Women Playwrights International Conference in Montreal 2022.

Us Too: Alisha’s Story is online from December 3–10. British Sign Language and subtitles are available.

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