‘Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter’ is a powerful drama about sexual exploitation and street grooming, aimed at young people aged 14 upwards and adults. The play has toured extensively to schools, colleges, conferences and community venues nationally. Over 300 performances have reached more than 50,000 young people, and empowered over 150 young people to make a disclosure and seek help.  The play remains available on demand and there is also a 15 minute film version of the same story.

It goes behind the front page mug-shots to the human stories of three young people: Chloe, the 15 year old girl from an ordinary family, who is caught up in the web of a grooming gang. Sara, the half-Asian best friend who saves her, and Javid, the young man who risks everything to help Sara get Chloe out of the grip of his ‘Uncle’ Adeem and his ‘business partner’ Phil.

Watch The Somebody’s Sisters, Somebody’s Daughter Trailer

This play tackles the sexual exploitation and abuse of young people, with a particular emphasis on providing a greater understanding and awareness of street grooming, social media vulnerability, online threats and ‘sexting’. Developed in partnership with Oldham, Rochdale and Oxfordshire councils and the Oxford Foundation, with support from ACE , the play is based on research with young people and professionals.

Without preaching, or being sexually graphic, and with surprising humour, ‘Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter’ dramatises the dangers and the complex issues involved in this most sensitive of subjects. Aimed at Year 10 students and upwards, and adults, the play is supported by specially learning resources. Every performance is followed by a ‘hot-seating’ session in which the actors come back in character so that audiences can question their actions and behaviour.

‘Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter’ remains available for performances in schools, colleges, PRU’s, and to parents/carers and the wider community. It is also ideal for conferences and for raising awareness with professionals as well as supporting and leading training work.

The purpose of the play and its related resources:

  • To inform and warn potential victims and to encourage self-protective behaviour
  • To provoke potential abusers into reconsidering their thinking.
  • To stimulate general debate and raise awareness around the subject
  • To be a resource and training tool for workers
  • To sign-post key local and national CSE/CSA services and support
  • To increase vigilance and resilience against CSE/CSA
  • To encourage and empower victims of CSE/CSA to seek help and support

Show Feedback

“It is important that today’s teenagers understand the risk of sexual exploitation and to know where to seek help. The GW Theatre Company has perfected the art of engaging teenagers in a thoughtful and entertaining way through drama and dialogue”

Lisa Harker, Head of Strategy, NSPCC

“This is an important, thought provoking production which addresses many vital issues about CSE”

Ian Rushton, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West

“Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter is a fantastic performance that illustrates the issues and complexities around sexual exploitation – from a number of perspectives. It is an excellent production delivering difficult messages in an understandable manner, not only to young people, but to parents and carers as well as professionals charged with safeguarding children. It cleverly challenges stereotypes and myths, and signposts clearly how to get help.”

Mary Doyle, Divisional Commander, Greater Manchester Police

“Some young people, particularly lads, don’t take sexual exploitation seriously, but things like this show it’s a real situation. This can never be shown to enough young people.”

Callum, 14 year old student, Greater Manchester