This female-led animation studio is raising $20,000 to tackle child sexual abuse

Every year, over 300 million children worldwide are sexually abused, and a disturbingly high number of these cases go unreported. Tragically, survivors may sometimes become perpetrators themselves, perpetuating a vicious cycle of abuse. Unless urgent action is taken, this cycle will continue to inflict immense harm on countless children.

Relio Studios an animation studio based in the UK, is quietly working to address this issue through a unique approach. Founded by Esosa Asabor, a Nigerian, the studio is on a mission to redefine Nigerian animation and use storytelling as a powerful tool to prevent a significant portion of these cases. Their ambitious goal is to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse by 95% through engaging and impactful animated content.

Asabor’s journey into the world of animation began with a passion for art, she began as a design fellow at CcHub, before setting up her first studio, Animate, where she worked with a wide range of companies including Eko Distribution and Spring in Africa (formerly Wallets Africa) to create 2D/3D animations.

She went on to earn a master's degree in 3D animation from Bournemouth University, UK and afterwards worked at a UK-based motion design studio.

But she soon realised that her true calling lay in telling stories that could empower and educate.

"Prior to Relio Studios, my work was primarily in the realm of branding and motion design," Asabor explains. "But I always had these stories that I felt were being put on hold. I knew there was so much potential for Nigerian animation, especially in the 3D space, to address important social issues."

Driven by this vision, Asabor founded Relio Studios, a female-first creative collective dedicated to crafting compelling narratives with a social conscience. Their first project, an animated series called "Break Tunes," tackles the sensitive and often taboo subject of child sexual abuse.

"When I started researching this topic, it became clear that it was something we had to address," Asabor says. "The rates of child sexual abuse in Africa and Asia are alarmingly high, and the stigma surrounding it makes it even harder for victims to come forward."

Creating "Break Tunes" has been a delicate balancing act. Asabor and her team have had to carefully navigate the complexities of addressing such a serious issue while ensuring the content remains engaging and age-appropriate for their young audience.

"It's a fine line we're walking," she admits. "We want to communicate the seriousness of child sexual abuse, but we also need to ensure that the stories we tell are fun and entertaining for the kids. That's where the real challenge lies."

Despite the obstacles, Asabor finds this project to be the most fulfilling of her creative career. "Combining my technical skills with a focus on social impact is just incredibly rewarding," she says. "I'm driven by a desire to make a real difference, and that's what keeps me going."

One major obstacle the team is combatting is getting the necessary funds to create its pilot episode, a prerequisite for some potential partnerships. The team has launched a Kickstarted campaign to raise about $20,000 needed to fund the creation of its pilot episode.

While at this, Asabor is already looking ahead. The plan is to expand Break Tunes into a long-term platform that addresses a wide range of issues affecting children, from bullying to educational challenges.

"We want Break Tunes to be a hub for social awareness, a place where kids can learn and grow through the power of storytelling," Asabor explains. "And we're not just aiming for Nigeria – our goal is to reach children across the globe."

To achieve this ambitious vision, Relio Studios is exploring innovative funding models, including creating its platform for hosting content and selling merchandise. They're also forging partnerships with schools and educational institutions to ensure their work has a lasting impact.

At the heart of it all is Asabor’s unwavering commitment to elevating female voices in the animation industry.

"Being a woman in this field has its own unique challenges, but it's also incredibly rewarding," she says. "I want to give other women the chance to shine, to show the world that we have the talent and the passion to create truly transformative content."