The play Prima Facie” highlights violence against women in Koblenz

The play Prima Facie” highlights violence against women in Koblenz

A very special play is being performed today in the Koblenz City Library: “Prima Facie”. This haunting one-person play by Suzie Miller deals with the topic of sexual violence in a gripping way and was staged on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (Orange Day). The Theater am Ehrenbreitstein has organized the performance on November 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., and spectators can look forward to a full house. The responsibility for directing lies in the hands of Gabriel Diaz, while seven service clubs support the event and thus demonstrate their commitment to combating violence against women.

The play revolves around the character Tessa, a criminal defense lawyer who herself becomes a victim of sexual violence. This turn in Tessa's life alerts viewers to the absurdities and challenges that the justice system presents to victims. Suzie Miller, who wrote the piece and has received much acclaim for her work in recent years, has written extensively about the experiences of women who have suffered sexual assault. Her own career as a human rights lawyer shaped her perspective on the legal hurdles victims face, and in her piece she questions the credibility of victims in an often hostile environment.

Together in focus: violence and jurisprudence

As Miller's analysis shows, many women who have experienced sexual violence experience a kind of “freeze” in the situation or try to verbally change their attackers' minds. This behavior is later often used by defense lawyers to question the credibility of the victim. In her research, Miller found that only about one in ten women who experience violence report the incident. The shockingly low conviction rate of 1.3 percent in the UK highlights the urgent need for a rethink.

In her piece, Miller also addressed the issue of Tessa ultimately becoming a witness in her own rape trial. The incident that affected her was non-consensual, highlighting the confusion and pain experienced by many victims. Tessa finds herself caught up in a system that often challenges her own narrative, and what she can clearly remember becomes a plaything for the defense.

A call for change

In her further work, Miller not only calls for a rethink in courtrooms, but also for a cultural change in society. She hopes to raise awareness of the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence through a project that will provide a free Prima Facie film in British schools. In addition, young women in groups like TESSA are campaigning to reform the legal basis for sexual assault in order to shift the burden of proof onto the accused.

Efforts to bring about change in society are already noticeable. Miller's work has not only made waves on the West End and Broadway, but has actually sparked negotiations for changes in the legal system, such as improving jury instructions in rape cases or training protocols for judges in Northern Ireland. Her piece is not only entertainment, but also an appeal to think about the pressing questions surrounding sexual violence and consent.

In a society in which one in three women is a victim of sexual violence, it is essential to address these issues and actively advocate for change. “Prima Facie” makes an important contribution and gives people the courage to be loud and fight for rights and justice. The theater audience in Koblenz is invited to be part of this important discussion platform and to confront the reality that “Prima Facie” addresses.

Further information can be found on the website of Rhine newspaper, New Statesman and South German newspaper.