Boys play girls in domestic abuse drama

Teenage boys took on the roles of family members of both sexes for a drama about domestic abuse.

The drama, developed and performed by students from North Manchester High School for Boys, was part of an event to mark the publication of a teaching pack on domestic abuse that will be used in secondary schools across Manchester.

The boys covered a range of issues, showing how domestic abuse takes many forms - emotional as well as physical abuse, and not just between male and female partners.

The guide will help staff incorporate learning about domestic abuse into personal, health and social education (PHSE) lessons. Domestic abuse is a major issue affecting 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. Each week two women are killed due to domestic abuse.

Councillor Sue Murphy, Manchester City Council's Lead Member for Women's Issues, said: "Manchester has long been at the forefront of developing domestic abuse services. This pack builds on previous education materials used in Manchester and brings together a variety of experience in the ethos of working together.

"Domestic abuse does not only affect adults - in 90% of domestic abuse incidents where children live in the household they are in the same or the next room. These children often suffer 'significant harm' as they are exposed to seeing or hearing the maltreatment of another.

"The development of the teaching pack and the support available can enable our schools to begin early intervention with children and young people."

It is likely that in every school in Manchester there will be pupils who have experienced or are still living with domestic abuse that affects their education as well as their safety and well-being.

The teaching pack will helps pupils to consider what a healthy relationship is and to identify behaviour that is unacceptable, including bullying. Schools have legal obligations to promote the social and moral aspects of a pupil's development.

The teaching pack was commissioned by the Children and Young People's Sub-group of the Domestic Abuse Management Group, which involves representatives from a range of agencies across Manchester.

The pack will be used to raise pupils' awareness of domestic abuse and to challenge attitudes, thoughts and behaviours to prevent young people become the victims or perpetrators of the future.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse contact the Manchester Women's Domestic Violence Helpline on 0161 636 7525 10am-4pm or the National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. There is also a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse 0808 801 0327.

Media contact:

Martin Hellewell, tel: 0161 234 3729