Safe Home

I admit I had to steel myself to watch Safe Home, and initially did so mainly because I thought it was such a 'worthy' project. However, while saying Safe Home is 'enjoyable' sounds too flippant, this show is definitely not an 'eat your greens' viewing experience. Of course, it deals with a very confronting topic, but does so sensitively, and delivers its message(s) via well-constructed-thriller and engrossing-workplace-drama plots. In short, Safe Home is absolutely gripping, and really well acted and well written. All the cast are great, and Aisha Dee is superb in the lead. Congratulations to all involved!

As a male viewer, I was initially hesitant and almost switched off during the first 15 minutes of the opening episode due to the subject matter. However, the exceptional production values, brilliant script, skilled direction, and compelling acting kept me on board, and I'm grateful that they did. This series masterfully builds the drama through its clever use of time cuts. It keeps the audience guessing throughout.

The impressive production values and overall quality of the show are a testament to the talent involved. Kudos to series creator Anna Barnes. I'm looking forward to her next endeavour.

Highly recommended.

Growing up in a household where domestic violence had been present and watching this series there is a whole new understand on why "people don't run" because they can't they are stuck in a system that has let them down and will keep letting them down. This series was even more of an eye opener for me and I grew up with it and sometimes friends did as well. Phoebe is the optimistic one and all the other characters at the law firm are all that, but to a different degree, the stories told at the centre and the lives of everyone who walks through those doors are changed in an instant. I suggest if you do watch this go gently, you are going to be ok and help is available.

I started watching this series because I liked the title. I didn't read about it or watch any trailers. There are some plot twists in it that had me enthralled. I'm glad that this project came to fruition. People need to be able to see the many faces of domestic violence and abuse. The story this is centered around is one that really makes you think. And the side stories that depict different types of abuse are really engaging, because you want to know if they get out of their situation. Then when they're free of the abuse you can see the shift in their demeanor and outlook. I hope they make more episodes.

There is nothing new in this show. ALL of these scenarios have already happened, in our communities, around Australia.

Be warned, it is confronting. Within the early scenes. If you have experienced violence, be prepared. It is very spare in its depictions of physical violence, and is not gratuitous, but it does not need to be. The threat of violence is just as terrifying. And the trauma and psychological impacts are evident in many of the characters

I can't speak to whether the Community Legal Service is realistically represented. But for the different versions of family violence, this is, to my experience, authentic. The situations (plot) and character representations (acting) are entirely convincing.

The boiling frog metaphor, whilst only alluded to in this show, is an accurate one. It creeps up on you, whilst at the same time, you rationalise the situation, and the perpetrator's behaviour. I suspect, the more 'clever' you are, the more convincing your rationalisations, to yourself as much as others. The underlying plotline of the 'murder' alluded to in the 1st episode, attempts to depict to the viewer, how we can ALL be taken in. "It can be anyone". I think it is also a challenging thought project, to question yourself, about any assumptions you may have made, before the denouement in the final episode.

Yes this is a representation of, predominantly, women as victims. But that is factually accurate. Family violence towards women and consequently, children, is an epidemic in Australia. The institutions we have; Courts/Police/Services, have been identified as part of the problem - as is depicted in this show.

For those of you who question its veracity, who propose it 'needs more irony', who think it is 'biased against men', consider your own internalised biases and your capacity for compassion.

My hope is that at some point in my lifetime, we have moved on from; desperately needing to represent these stories. To; actually seeing solutions and change within our culture. A time when shows like this become painfully outdated.