In February 2021 STARS Dorset sent a survey out to teenagers aged 17+, asking them about their sex and relationship education and early teen experiences. We received 361 responses and from this data found that 40% of young people said yes or maybe to being sexually assaulted. In March 2021 we saw the news reporting about the prevalence of sexual harassment in education settings. Ofsted held a review in June that said “the issue is so widespread that it needs addressing for all children and young people.”

The impact of sexual violence on both individuals and the school community can be substantial. Education is key to prevention. We want our educational establishments to be safe spaces where young people feel that there is a zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence.

Having an external agency with 30 years of experience in this field deliver workshops ensures that everyone receives a clinically professional service with facilitators who are easily able to answer questions and offer guidance.

STARS Dorset currently offers the following packages to any Dorset based school.

Young people’s workshops – Year groups 8-10

Workshop 1

Sexual Harassment and Bystander Intervention

This interactive workshop will educate young people to be able to identify what is sexual harassment, the body’s natural responses to threat and bystander intervention. Increasing awareness, empathy and understanding of others, changing views around what constitutes sexual harassment and empowering young people to support each other.

Workshop 2

Rape, Consent and Victim Blaming

This interactive workshop will help young people to be able to identify what is rape, understand consent and its importance. It highlights victim blaming and its negative consequences with a view that these young people will be our future jurors. This workshop will increase awareness, empathy and understanding of others and change views around victim blaming.

 

Staff Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

When sexual violence occurs within an educational setting it can create a wide variety of issues. STARS Dorset provides CPD for staff to help them feel confident in their ability to manage these situations, protecting both the students and themselves during this turbulent time.

Workshop 1

How to manage a Sexual Violence disclosure

Written by Alison Woodward, STARS Clinical supervisor, this zoom workshop will cover aspects of how to manage a disclosure of sexual violence or assault.  It will consider both the impact on the person disclosing and the person receiving the report and the importance of clear processes that support everyone involved.  Being believed is a key factor in whether people feel able to take allegations further so this workshop will help address how to balance evidence, safeguarding and listening to a disclosure.

Workshop 2

Teenage behaviour or trauma

When we experience trauma our brains work from a different perspective in order for us to survive.  For a teenager trauma can appear like 'normal' behaviour and can easily be dismissed and discounted.  This workshop will explain what trauma is and what symptoms can be spotted to enable healthy discussion about what is happening for someone which is causing certain survival responses or behaviours.

Workshop 3

Best Practice for peer-on-peer Sexual Violence disclosure.

It is difficult to manage peer-on-peer disclosures, how do we ensure both parties are heard, and a fair decision is made on the balance of probability.  How do we put in appropriate safeguards, education and support to ensure the best outcome for all?  This workshop will highlight some of the issues faced and support you to think about how your organisation can adopt fair process to investigate and hear allegations reducing the risk of unconscious bias and judgement.

 

Results

We have delivered 17 workshops over the last two months reaching 390 young people.

97% rated the workshop excellent or good

“It was a great mixture of serious, enjoyable and funny. It was engaging and comfortable (in the sense that I wasn’t afraid to talk, and it wasn’t awkward).”

“Very good, made people understand the right and wrong things to do and the people were kind and understanding.”

“I think everything was well explained and educational so can recognise when something isn’t right and how to help out.”

“I think it was good to discuss topics that you generally don’t talk about at home. I learnt a lot and felt like it was a safe environment to share ideas.”

If you are interested in accessing any of these workshops, please contact Anne Clarkson on [email protected] or call on 07342 966 550.