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Follow on Google News | Sexual abuse and self-harming statistics revealed in student survey- 73% of school girls admit to seBirmingham company's ground-breaking course helps prevent girls from being sexually exploited
By: ICU Transformational Arts After the course, more than 73 per cent of the participants admitted to self-harming and feeling vulnerable, while 35 per cent made disclosures about being victims of child sex abuse. So far this year, more than 1,000 girls aged between 10 and 16 have participated in ‘Breaking the Silence’ empowerment days which is the first programme of its type in the UK. Central to the course, and key to its success, is a specially designed play called ‘Hidden’ involving a teenage girl being exploited by an older man. The company behind the venture, ICU Transformational Arts, was founded by actress, author and empowerment expert Tonya Joy Bolton who felt that not enough preventative work was being done to address the problems of sexual exploitation and grooming before young girls actually became victims. Thanks to sponsorship from the young people’s sexual health charityBrook (http://www.brook.org.uk/ Tonya praises the forward thinking head teachers and parents who have invited her and her team into their schools, rather than ‘brushing the problem under the carpet’. She said: “Being a writer and an actress, I felt I had to speak out and use my skills to do something about these serious issues which just seem to be getting worse. We all know sexual exploitation is going on everywhere - it’s not just the celebrities in the media spotlight who are involved. We all have a duty to educate our young girls so they can make their own choices. Parents and teachers cannot be present 24/7 so empowering the girls is the way forward, but this must be done in a really engaging way – we all know normal lecturing doesn’t work. “Incredibly, according to The Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, one in four girls will be sexually abused before they reach 18 and the things we are discovering during the programme supports this statistic. Girls affected by sexual violence and abuse often self-harm and their experiences almost certainly impact on their studies, their attendance and their emotional health. More confidence, improved self-esteem and better social skills can all help young people recognise and respond appropriately to the threat – and the reality – of sexual abuse.” “Girls can only learn how to protect themselves if we give them the space, the time and the support they need to improve their communication and decision making skills and help them address important issues such as family difficulties and conflict.” The programme begins with a live performance of “Hidden” – an inspirational and hard hitting one woman play about the challenges faced by a teenage girl - ‘Chante’ - unaware of the dangers she faces. Chante feels misunderstood by grown-ups, hates school and longs to be a pop star. Just when her dreams seem about to come true, she discovers something that will change her life forever. The play is directed by Jon Trevor and provides an excellent starting point for discussions, debates and exploration. “The Breaking the Silence programme uses effective ways of removing ‘barriers’ Breaking the Silence is an ICU Transformational Arts workshop sponsored by Brook (http://www.brook.org.uk/) Tonya has also created a video http://www.youtube.com/ -Ends- For more information or to book an empowerment day or live performance, please email Tonya Joy Bolton attonya@icu-transformational- Notes to editors: Brook is the country's largest young people's sexual health charity. For over 45 years, it has been providing sexual health services, support and advice to young people under the age of 25. With the awareness of abuse being raised recently following the shocking Jimmy Savile cases and many others, schools and other organisations have become more aware of the need to educate young girls so they are more prepared to deal with any potential threats and risks to their welfare. 1,050 girls aged 10 to 16 took part in the programme between April and October 2013 The schools visited were in Walsall, Coventry, Birmingham, London, Darlington, Corby, Dover and Nottingham. · 100% of the girls who attended the programmes said they learned something from the event about protecting themselves from sexual exploitation and self-harm that they did not know before. · 99.4% of the girls said they will behave differently as a result of what they had learned on the empowerment day. · 34% of the empowerment programmes have resulted in young girls making disclosures of child sex abuse. · Over 70% of the girls admitted to self-harming and feeling vulnerable · 96% of the girls wished the empowerment programme was longer and wanted to attend another empowerment day in the near future. Due to the high demand for this programme we are now taking bookings for next term. Schools have also asked for a course for boys and this has now been made available with a focus on promoting positive messages about masculinity and respecting girls. Here are a few of the comments we have received following recent sessions: "The girls really enjoyed the day. The play and workshops brought out key issues which impact on our girls on a daily basis. It certainly gave them a sense of empowerment and understanding around the issues discussed on the day. I have already spoken with a student who felt overwhelmed by the day as it made her understand herself more and realise she may have been tempted to make the wrong choice." Mrs Julie Perkins Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Handsworthwood Girls’ School, 2/05/13 “I enjoyed the play because it was so emotional and unique. It really spoke to me and reminds me to be strong.” Hannah age 13 Press enquiries: Please contact Suzi Christie PR Consultant on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry- Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre, http://www.rasasc.org.uk/ End
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