Domestic Violence – Spell it out in schools

Getting domestic violence onto the school curriculum to raise awareness of the issue was top of the agenda when students from Edge Hill University lobbied their local MP.

The PR students, who are working on behalf of West Lancashire Women's Refuge, have persuaded Rosie Cooper MP to get on board with their innovative campaign.

Domestic Violence - Spell it out in Schools aims to put domestic violence onto the school curriculum in Personal, Health and Social Education for 11 to 14-year-olds.  These lessons would show pupils that domestic violence is not only physical, it can also be mental, sexual and financial abuse and that it should never be tolerated.

They are arguing that just a one hour lesson per year would help to make a difference, which is their target to ensure that young people in schools have a greater understanding of domestic violence. The idea is to help them know what it is and how to spot the signs if their friends are victims, or know where to get the necessary help and support.

Since students Helen Garnett, Robert Healiss, Bethan McKenzie and Rebecca Wilkinson started their campaign in January this year they have contacted schools, local councillors and key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children.

Twenty-one-year-old Robert explained: "Children are the hidden victim in domestic violence and we don't want them to suffer long term effects.  We were really pleased with our meeting with Rosie Cooper MP as she was very supportive of our ideas and we look forward to continuing our plans to get domestic violence onto the school curriculum. We believe that raising awareness of the issue through the education system is a powerful tool and is a way of helping those children who may be in homes where domestic violence happens."

Rosie Cooper MP added: "I am fully committed to supporting the work of West Lancashire Women's Refuge who are a lifeline for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Robert, Bethan and Rebecca to discuss how I can help their campaign to get domestic violence onto the school curriculum.

"All children and young people need to know that domestic violence is unacceptable and that we as a society will not tolerate it.  For those young people who are exposed to domestic violence they also need to know that there are people and organisations to who they can turn to for help and support.  I don't think a one hour lesson per year is too much to ask to ensure our school children are informed about such an important issue as domestic violence. It may even save a life. I will do everything I can locally and nationally to help with the campaign to get domestic violence on the school curriculum."

She has already been in touch with Nick Gibb, the Minister of State for Schools regarding the campaign and will be asking questions on behalf of the students in the House of Commons.

The students have been running a campaign for West Lancashire Women's Refuge, a charity which supports victims of domestic violence.  For the past five months the team has been working to raise the profile of the refuge and helping domestic violence victims escape vulnerable situations as part of their PR degree course at the University.

The University took the unique step of having its students from all three years on the PR degree course work with actual organisations for practical hands-on experience instead of creating ‘mock' scenarios in the classroom. Not only has the initiative given the students a realistic flavour of the demanding and competitive world of PR but it has actually raised the profiles of the organisations they work with.

For further information about the degree, email Paula at keavenep@edgehill.ac.uk or visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk.

For more details about the work of the West Lancashire Women's Refuge or if you know of anyone who is in a vulnerable situation, please visit www.wlwref.org.uk or call 0808 100 3062.