Schwimmer 'inspired by rape charity work'

David Schwimmer has revealed that he was inspired to direct Trust after working with the Rape Foundation.

The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, stars Clive Owen and Catherine Keener as the parents of a child who is groomed by an online predator.

Speaking to Reuters, Schwimmer said: "I've never seen in film the portrayal of the father and daughter, that relationship, that has to survive this kind of trauma."

He explained that the film, which has been in development for seven years, was inspired by his work with the Rape Foundation in Santa Monica, California. The centre, which offers treatment and education for victims of sexual abuse, encouraged Schwimmer to tackle the distressing subject matter.

"There was kind of a gap in creating awareness for men. So [the Rape Foundation director] thought that I, as a relatively young man at the time, and with some celebrity, can maybe get more men aware of the issue," Schwimmer said.

The 43-year-old added that a disturbing aspect of online sexual abuse is the seemingly normal background of the men committing the crimes. He said: "A lot of these guys are married, have families. It's more frightening than the predator that's usually depicted in films, which is this weird, greasy loner that lives alone or with mum.

"The fact is that they are teachers, they are coaches, they're priests, they're professionals, they're pediatricians."