Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control: Sarah’s Legacy.
This Secondary PSHE and SRE workshop - delivered by Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard - will help young people to recognise domestic abuse and coercive control, appreciate the damaging nature of its portrayal in the media and ‘entertainment’, know what to do if they (or someone they know) experiences it, and finally challenge our young men to stop the cycle of violence in their generation whilst educating girls on the ‘red flags’ to look out for.
Some Statistics: 1 in 4 women and girls will experience some sort of domestic abuse from a partner; between 2 and 3 women a week are killed by their male partner or ex partner; 60% of all female homicides are caused by their partners. The statistics haven't changed for some years - in fact during the COVID-19 Lockdown in 2020 Domestic Abuse reports grew...this is one epidemic that isn't getting better.
Starting with the tragic and powerful story of his sister, Sarah Gosling –- murdered by her partner Ian Hope in 2012 –- Bernie explores how coercive control and domestic abuse can start and escalate within relationships. Session participants are then asked to consider their own experiences* and awareness of domestic violence and how they feel about it. Fundamentally, the workshop aims to raise awareness of the subject and challenge some of the myths and responsibilities involved in this area of relationships and what each and every person can do to put an end to domestic abuse.
In March and April 2021, in response to the police response to the disappearance of Sarah Everard and the publication of the UN Women UK findings that 97% of women 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment AND the sexual harassment and "rape culture" alleged in many independent schools we have adapted the workshop to greater focus on what young people can do to develop strategies and changes to the culture of sexism, misogyny and male violence, including understanding consent.
Andrew also has a popular workshop called ‘What Makes a Man?’. The aim is to consider modern manhood, think about unhelpful masculinity and develop empathy, character, and integrity. The workshop will highlight unhelpful masculinity – and ask where it comes from, how it can be challenged and how harmful unhelpful masculinity is to young men and women. The main thrust of What Makes A Man is to remind audience members that they have a choice over who they are becoming and how they assert themselves. As Cinzia DuBois - The Lady of The Library says: “…we need to write a new pro social script for men in order to prevent men like Tate from reviving ancient sexist ideas” and this workshop aims to do just that.
Watch Bernie in action here.
Lancashire
Please enquire for pricing information.
