The former Friends star - who was at the helm of Simon Pegg comedy Run Fatboy Run in 2007 - is directing Clive Owen and Catherine Keener as the parents of a 14-year-old girl who is raped by an online predator.

Countering child sex abuse is an important issue for the star, who serves on the board of directors of the Rape Foundation Of Santa Monica (California), and he revealed he hopes to “educate” as well as entertain with the film.

“Perhaps it could have an effect the way movies like The Accused did for its time,” he said.

The 43-year-old has met with victims of abuse and said he was “really moved by some of the stories” and “in particular their families”.

Seven years ago, a victim’s father spoke at a fundraiser which Schwimmer attended and discussed the anguish and anger he felt when he learned his teenage daughter had been groomed online and later raped. That man was the inspiration for Owen’s character, who has difficulty coping with the attack on his daughter.

Filming is set to end later this month.