AVA’s groundbreaking project on empowering young people to address domestic and sexual violence is drawing to a close. This work has focused on ensuring that young people’s voices and experiences are heard, valued and included in service design and delivery.
Over the past three years we have worked with experts around the country including
- Chilypep in Sheffield and Rotherham
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- The London Borough of Sutton and Limes College, Sutton
- Changing Lives (formerly Platform 51) in Doncaster and West Kent
Each partner organisation has worked to develop initiatives that are driven by and for young people who have experienced gender based violence and abuse, including
- Development of two group work programmes written by young women, to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence with their peers.
- Two films to educate young people and professionals about teenage relationship abuse.
- A photographic exhibition portraying how it feels to experience abuse.
- A series of postcards to raise awareness with young people about how to seek help.
- Numerous presentations and education events.
- Work with MPs and policy makers.
- Accredited training for young people on peer leadership skills including several residential sessions.
Chilypep have produced a research report and project report. This work is currently being evaluated by the University of Bedfordshire.
Soon, we will be hosting a national event on young people and participation
- to share the findings of the University of Bedfordshire’s evaluation
- to launch a new group work resource developed by our young peer educators
- to share best practice learning on peer participation.
Please sign up to our newsletter if you want to be kept informed.
