‘Crossing the Line: Rethinking the Alpha Victim’ Film Premiere

Join us for the premiere of Crossing the Line: Rethinking the Alpha Victim, a new short film produced as part of the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre’s project Rethinking the Alpha Victim. This special screening will be followed by a Q&A with members of the research and production team, as well as child criminal exploitation experts from the police, social work, and third sector.

Crossing the Line follows the story of Alfie Parker, a teenager whose life has become tangled in exploitation and county lines drug trafficking. Frequently described as a “complex case”, Alfie’s experiences are examined through the lens of a multi-agency meeting, where professionals assess his situation, risks, and vulnerabilities.

While practitioners discuss Alfie, the film centres Alfie’s own voice, revealing how manipulation, fear, and a lack of meaningful support contributed to his exploitation. Through his story, the film challenges the label of “alpha victim” and prompts viewers to reconsider the systems and assumptions that shape responses to young people at risk.

This film is one element of a broader set of practitioner-focused resources being launched as part of the Rethinking the Alpha Victim project. Developed with care, sensitivity, and authenticity, the film was created in close collaboration with front-line practitioners and was produced by Digifish Limited.

Following the screening, join researchers, members of the production team and child criminal exploitation experts for a discussion about:

• the making of the film
• the research underpinning the project and key themes
• the concept of the “alpha victim”
• how practitioners can use the film and other resources in safeguarding and support contexts

• Junior Smart, OBE
• Kirsten Dent, National County Lines Coordination Centre
• Heather Wilson, Bradford Children and Families Trust
• Paul Banks, Director, Digifish
• Chris Devany, Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre
• Amy Loughery, Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre
• Chair: Laura Bainbridge, Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre and University of Leeds

This event will be valuable for:

• safeguarding practitioners

• social workers

• education professionals

• police officers

• heath professionals

• youth justice professionals

• foster carers and residential children’s home staff

• anyone engaged in child protection, exploitation, or safeguarding work

Please join us to reflect and contribute to this important conversation.

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Host or Publisher Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre