Grace – Jumping Puddles

Grace is 17 and is struggling with the pressure from her violent ex-boyfriend, who writes to her from prison. On top of that, dealing with going to college and the responsibility of caring for her younger sister and the family home, she is left feeling depressed and alone. All she wants is to be happy, to enjoy herself and be normal.

Grace is 17 and has been left to care for her 13 years old sister because her mam is in a hospice as she is very ill with cancer. It is hard keeping on top of the household chores whilst also being responsible for herself and her little sister, Anna.

A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps look after a relative. Sometimes it will be a parent or sister / brother who has a disability, illness or problem. Some young carers are responsible for looking after a sibling whilst their parent is unwell.

Domestic Abuse

Grace and her friends discuss her violent boyfriend John who continues to contact her from prison even though she has tried to end it with him. They talk about the time he locked her in a room.

Domestic abuse does not always mean that a person is being violent. Often it is someone who is controlling emotionally, financially or sexually. Like being bullied but instead it is by a partner or family member.

Sexual Assault

Depressed and struggling to cope with the pressures of life, Grace goes into town with her friends. She drinks and takes legal highs. Men move in on the dance floor and Grace is sexually assaulted.

Sexual assault is when a person makes another do sexual things they don’t want to do. A person is never responsible for being assaulted, even if they are drunk.

Controlling/ Coercive Behaviour

John tries to control Grace by encouraging her to cut ties with her friends and to miss college, isolating her. Because she doesn’t have much support she feels dependent on him even though he says and does hurtful things.

Controlling behaviour can make a person feel reliant on the other by not allowing them to have independence and regulating everyday behaviour, such as leaving the house or carrying out everyday tasks. Coercive behaviour is a pattern of assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation that are used to harm, punish or frighten the victim. It is a form of domestic abuse and is recognised as a criminal offence.

Depression / Struggling to Cope

Struggling to cope with the pressures of being a young carer whilst her mother is ill and contact from her controlling boyfriend from prison, Grace uses alcohol and illegal highs and in turn her life spirals out of control.

After helping Anna with her problems Grace realises she needs to leave the house. She finds a friend in her little sister as she offers comfort in sharing memories of mam and talking about their feelings.