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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Radio 4 drama: Craven. Family Man.

5 replies

vaguelyoptimistic · 16/09/2014 06:53

On iplayer at the moment there is a series omnibus of a programme starring Maxine Peake who plays a detective investigating the murder of three children by their father.
It contains, as you can imagine, distressing content so be careful in your decision to listen. BUT the writer has nailed the character of a severely EA man to a T through the observations of his wife and those involved in the case rather than listening to the "man" himself which I found to be extremely powerful.
Particularly astute is the description of insidious EA techniques used to control wife and children without the need to resort to physical violence.
As I say, distressing and I am somewhat uneasy about it being classed as drama/entertainment as unlike the Channel 4 programme about DV discussed on here before this I don't think is based on an actual RL incident.
Clearly highly dramatised in the outcome but I would say that it shows just home formulaic this type of man's behaviour can be and may be helpful for women to see it can be recognised and avoided. Though it may be scary for those who feel they want to leave such a marriage as they fear the consequences - this story deals in our worst fears.
Just my observations but it struck a chord with me.

OP posts:
Hitabottomus · 16/09/2014 06:57

I too thought that it was very powerful. I'm also not sure I would have identifed the abuse as such if I hadn't read of similar tales on the relationship board.

CuttedUpPear · 16/09/2014 07:13

I was listening to this but missed a few episodes, I'll see if they are available on iplayer.

The (female) writer was interviewed on Woman's Hour last week,along with a female psychologist specialising in cases like these.

It was a great interview, handled really well.

I also love the actress playing Craven (her name escapes me atm). She is doing some fantastic work currently, both acting and script writing.

OddBoots · 16/09/2014 07:30

Thanks for this, I'm going to try to listen to it tomorrow (It looks like it is on iplayer here).

Back2Two · 16/09/2014 07:33

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FiveGoMadInDorset · 16/09/2014 07:34

Maxine Peak was the actress. Very powerful writing.

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