An innovative animated film which the police use to train their officers to gather more evidence on sexual offence crimes has won a Royal Television Society award.

The short film ‘Trauma and the Brain’ created by NHS Lanarkshire’s Ending Violence Abuse (EVA) Service, won the Best in Animation and VFX (Visual Effects) category.

The film explains the physiological and psychological impact abuse or violent assault can have on a person and how it can result in them having difficulty recalling information.

For those attempting to gather evidence, this can present challenges, and in worse case scenarios, can see victims perceived as unreliable.

However the film explains how to recognise trauma and help the victim recover to a point where they are able to give police more information.

Police Scotland was so impressed with the film, it decided to use it as part of its sexual offences liaison officers (SOLO) training across the whole of Scotland.

Ann Hayne, NHS Lanarkshire gender-based violence manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award.

“It was clearly a popular choice on the night with one person describing it as the ‘most important piece of work on the night’.

“Others told how the animation had ‘hooked’ them which is exactly the kind of reaction we wanted and is why organisations such as Police Scotland have decided to use it for information and training.”

Since the film was launched last year, it’s had terrific feedback from around the world including Finland, Canada, the USA and Australia.

The film explains how when we go about our daily business, we can collect, store and recall information easily.

However, when something traumatic happens, an older, less developed part of the brain takes priority focussing on survival.

It’s only when the brain senses that danger has passed, will the newer, more analytical parts of the brain resume full function and enable the person to piece together more information.

Ann continued: “Experiencing abuse or other types of trauma can lead to post traumatic stress disorder with symptoms that last more than a month.

“This short film highlights some things to look out for and understand better how they might cause difficulties for the person trying to make sense of what has happened.”

Lucinda Broadbent from the digital team Media Co-op who made the film for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “From a purely film making perspective, we’re absolutely delighted to have won this award as it recognises the creative talents of our team.

“But the most important thing for us is that ‘Trauma and the Brain’ is effectively getting across the message about the impact of trauma on survivors of sexual violence, to police, health professionals and others across Scotland and across the world.”

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: I am delighted to see the short film ‘Trauma and the Brain’ being given recognition with a Royal Television Society Award.

“We recognise the impact sexual crime has on victims and how daunting it can be to report what has happened.

“Undoubtedly this specialist training benefits our staff to improve not only the way in which we investigate this type of crime but more importantly improve the way in which we provide our service to victims.”

“Congratulations to all who worked in producing the film.”

To view the film, visit: https://vimeo.com/user29908221/trauma-and-the-brain

For more information, or to request the film on DVD disc, contact EVAServices@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk