Mel B’s new short film comes after ‘disappointing’ Domestic Abuse Bill. What more needs to be done?

By Monica Athnasious

Updated May 31, 2023 at 01:50 PM

Reading time: 3 minutes

18106

A few days ago, Spice Girls veteran Mel B (real name Melanie Brown) shocked the internet with a harrowingly important video about domestic abuse. As a patron of Women’s Aid, Mel collaborated with composer and award-winning film director and composer Fabio D’Andrea as well as choreographer Ashley Wallen to create the short film Love Should Not Hurt. The video narrates the journey of a woman who appears trapped in an extremely abusive relationship.

In an interview for Women’s Aid Mel B discusses how the juxtaposition of the composed music and the visuals are meaningful, “This project really does represent [what domestic abuse feels like], you’re listening to something so beautiful yet witnessing something so horrendous and that is what you end up living—a double life.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Scary Spice Mel b (@officialmelb)

This is a double life that Mel unfortunately knows first hand. As a survivor of abuse herself, she told ITV News: “I, on stage, yelling girl power, being a Spice Girl, which I absolutely love but, you know behind closed doors it was a very different story. It just goes to show it can happen to anybody.” She’s right, it can happen to anybody, which makes the timing of this short film release even more important.

Mel B’s story is not and should not be treated as an isolated headline—the past year of lockdowns has shown a disturbing rise in domestic abuse cases, not just in Britain but across the world. In the same Women’s Aid interview, Teresa Parker, the Head of Media and Communications for the grassroots organisation further highlighted the point of this campaign by explaining that “there are so many women who are impacted by violence. There are so many women who are raped or go missing. Women are much more likely to die. One woman is killed every four days.” Hearing those words throws us back to those difficult weeks in March 2021, as the tragic case of Sarah Everard brought to light the stories of #AllWomen.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Women’s Aid (@womens_aid)

What is the Domestic Abuse Bill?

The timing of this release almost coincides with the UK government’s passing of the new Domestic Abuse Bill. Some of the new changes to the bill, which were announced 2 weeks ago include the addition of controlling or coercive behaviour as a form of abuse as well as non-fatal strangulation, ‘revenge porn’ and many others. Revenge porn is another abusive crime that was brought to the forefront thanks to Love Island star Zara McDermott’s BBC Three documentary, which premiered in February of this year. Although revenge porn laws were first introduced back in 2015, this new 2021 bill makes further promises in following through more heavily on convictions. The crime currently carries up to a two-year sentence.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BBC Three (@bbcthree)

How has it failed?

As much as the achievements of the bill should be celebrated, it has fallen short of what survivors and activists had originally hoped for. Sadly, it still fails to account for the protection of migrants and those on Universal Credit or other state benefits. Janaya Walker, Legal, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Southall Black Sisters told ITV, “The decision to reject our amendments effectively enshrines a system whereby a woman’s access to support and safety when fleeing violence, is determined by her background and immigration status. We are clear that without equal protection, the Bill is neither landmark nor transformational, it is discriminatory.”

How can we celebrate such a bill that falls short in delivering for all women, especially women of colour? Mel B’s short film comes just after the passing of this new law and sheds light on just how much further we need to go in order to protect all women.

The singer wrote passionately on Instagram that “this is the most important video I have ever made, I will never stop fighting for this cause so please please keep sharing, […] to the abusers we know who you are even though you are still out there thinking you can get away with it. The tide is turning.” Indeed, the tide does appear to be turning, perhaps not through our government’s actions but definitely with the help of influential people like Mel B, the #MeToo movement as well as through the work of grassroots activists. From February to May, 2021 has been filled with incredible highs and terrible lows for women but what has stayed consistent is the conversation. For four months, the subject has remained in the mainstream, as it should, and with Mel B’s stunning new short film, I hope it stays there until the UK government provides the necessary measures for all women.

Keep On Reading

By Eliza Frost

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 proves we’ll never be over love triangles

By Eliza Frost

Everything you need to know about Trump’s state visit, including that Epstein projection

By Charlie Sawyer

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega reveals surprising dream role in recent interview

By Eliza Frost

Jennifer Aniston to star in Apple TV+ adaptation of Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died

By Eliza Frost

Glen Powell’s GQ photoshoot is a satiric look at modern day males—and he’s in on the joke 

By Charlie Sawyer

Another female influencer has been punched in the head in New York. Is it the same attacker?

By Charlie Sawyer

Gen Zers are taking out travel insurance policies for their Labubus ahead of summer

By Eliza Frost

Louis Tomlinson opens up about Liam Payne’s death and reflects on One Direction’s 15th anniversary

By Abby Amoakuh

John Lithgow fumbles JK Rowling question as Harry Potter TV show cast struggles with fan backlash

By Charlie Sawyer

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham hire a lawyer to battle misinformation amid growing family rift

By Charlie Sawyer

Introducing Berlin’s latest tourist attraction Cybrothel, where men can request AI sex dolls covered in blood

By Abby Amoakuh

BLACKPINK’s Lisa faces backlash after wearing civil rights icon Rosa Parks on her crotch at Met Gala

By Charlie Sawyer

Gavin Casalegno cancelled? The Summer I Turned Pretty fans turn on him amid cast drama

By Abby Amoakuh

Campaigners call for gamers who carry out virtual rape in the metaverse to be charged as real-life sex offenders

By Eliza Frost

Is the princess treatment TikTok trend the bare minimum or a relationship red flag?

By Charlie Sawyer

SHEIN faces fines from EU for deceiving customers with fake discounts and misleading information

By Eliza Frost

Are you in Group 7? Explaining the latest viral TikTok trend

By Eliza Frost

Kim Kardashian wants to know how much a carton of milk costs 

By Eliza Frost

UK to lower voting age to 16 by next election. A controversial move, but the right one

By Abby Amoakuh

You star Madeline Brewer faces misogynistic backlash after internet brands her character unlikeable