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Project aims to raise awareness of sexual violence among school students

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A project called ‘Don’t Steal My Future’, which aims to raise awareness of sexual violence and the dangers of grooming, pornography, and misogyny has received funding as part of the North Wales Serious Violence Response Strategy to run activities in schools across North Wales. A session of the project at Ysgol Bryn Elian in Colwyn Bay was the focus of a visit on 24 October by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, who went along to see the impact of the initiative among students at the school. 

‘Don’t Steal My Future’ came about following the murder of Sarah Everard to counter sexual violence across society. The format is a workshop of up to three hours delivered to children and young people. The training, which is delivered by a team of experienced trainers provides interactive learning, real life examples and lots of useful information presented in sensitive manner to help educate attendees about what sexual violence is, its prevalence and the impact of it, not only for survivors but also for offenders and their families.

The PCC was welcomed to Ysgol Bryn Elian by Headteacher Mrs Hastings in the main Assembly Hall. The Don’t Steal My Future session was then delivered to over 100 Year 8 pupils, who first of all took part in a quiz to test their knowledge of the law and issues around sexual violence, grooming and consent. The conversation then moved to positive standards of behaviour and male role models to look up to in their relationship to women and their wider contribution to society.

Maria Senior from the teaching staff at Ysgol Bryn Elian, said: “As part of the RSE curriculum at Ysgol Bryn Elian, it is vital that we have sessions delivered that create an awareness of sexual violence. The ‘Don’t Steal My Future’ project organised by the Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASASC) delivered sessions in Ysgol Bryn Elian on the 24 October, the sessions were differentiated effectively to the young people. Therefore, fulfilling the aim of raising awareness of sexual violence, in addition to the dangers of grooming, pornography, and misogyny. This is really important for our young people to ensure they are provided with the opportunity to grow into healthy and confident members of society aligning with the Four Purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.”

Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales said: “Sexual violence is a scourge across society and something that we all need to recognise and confront. People can be exposed to, or be victims of, sexual violence from a young age and it’s important that we raise awareness of this subject in an age-appropriate and careful way with young people so that we can keep them safe. That’s why projects like ‘Don’t Steal my Future’ are so vital and it was good to see the project in action and to see how the young people responded to the message. 

“Serious violence has a profound impact on individuals and communities across North Wales. During 2022-23 over 30,000 offences of violence against the person were recorded by the police across the region. While this was a welcome decrease from the year before – and shows the hard work of North Wales Police and partners in the community – I am determined to see this figure drop even further.”

Gaynor McKeown, CEO, Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASASCNW), commented: “RASASC North Wales’ Don’t Steal My Future Campaign is a unique programme that raises awareness of sexual violence and abuse covering impact and prevalence, the themes and topics are relevant and up to date – reflective of what is going on for children and young people now.

“Our aim and vision are to challenge attitudes and change behaviour, and how as individuals and a collective we can contribute to the seismic shift needed in society to reduce/eliminate the occurrence of rape and sexual violence including violence against women and girls that is now considered an epidemic, on par with terrorism, in society.”

The funding received from the Police and Crime Commissioner will also enable the message of ‘Don’t Steal My Future’ to be delivered through age-appropriate sessions to pupils in year 6 in schools. To complement the programme, referral pathways, resources and additional bespoke training will be delivered to staff on sexual violence awareness and how to facilitate disclosures. The project was already underway with older pupils, but now thanks to the funding younger pupils will also receive sessions. This gap in provision was a need identified by the Community Safety Partnership in Conwy and Denbighshire, under Chair Peter Brown Community and Safety Partnership Manager Sian Taylor.

The project is run by the Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales (RASASCNW) which is based in Bangor and provides information, specialist support and therapy to anyone aged three and over who has experienced any kind of sexual abuse or violence either recently or in the past. They also provide specialist support and therapy to partners and family members of those who have been affected by sexual abuse and violence.

The aim of Serious Violence Response Strategy is to work with communities to prevent and reduce serious violence across the region. It focuses on bringing partners, including the police, local authorities, fire, and rescue services, and specified health and criminal justice agencies together to tackle serious violence and its root causes. The PCC and his office act as the convenor for these various stakeholders.

The key priorities of the North Wales Serious Violence Response Strategy are:

  • Supporting and enhancing prevention and early intervention around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, and sexual violence (VAWDASV).
  • Promoting contextual safeguarding to work with children and young people vulnerable to exploitation and/or modern slavery.
  • Identifying and implementing improvements, best practices, and innovation as a partnership to respond to serious violence.
  • Building a preventative approach in North Wales, through an understanding of risk, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma.
To learn more about the strategy and its purpose, visit: www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/serious-violence-duty