Around 80 students from eight local schools took part in workshops and talks aimed at building awareness, confidence, and understanding of healthy relationships and personal safety.
Around 80 young girls from various schools across Merseyside gathered at the Anfield Sports and Community Centre for an event aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and girls. Hosted by Merseyside Police in partnership with the LFC Foundation, the program focused on educating young people about crucial social issues to foster a culture of respect and awareness in their communities. Attendees participated in a series of workshops covering topics including healthy relationships, consent, self-esteem, online safety, and exploitation.
Faye Smith of Merseyside Police explained that these workshops serve as a significant snapshot of a broader, ongoing effort. The intention is to integrate these sessions into schools to provide extended education for students. Matt Parish of the LFC Foundation noted that their programming operates in about 30 high schools across the region, delivering consistent engagement throughout the school year. Events like this, however, allow the foundation to bring together students from different schools, facilitating shared experiences and providing young people with a space to discuss these challenges.
A highlight of the event was a poignant performance by students from St. Julie's Catholic High School, which addressed the complexities of gun crime, relationships, and the negative influence of gang culture. Participants expressed that the event offered them the tools to navigate potential risks safely and confidently. Student Yasmine emphasized the importance of recognizing the signs of manipulation and the harm associated with silence, noting, "Being in a gang and carrying weapons and keeping stuff a secret because they're scared of being a grass isn't okay, because it's doing a lot more harm than they realize."
Student Jasmine added that the event encouraged students to speak up if they feel manipulated, highlighting that it is vital to act before these harmful situations become a cycle. The session also featured an impactful talk from Julie Dale, mother of Ashley Dale, a 28-year-old environmental health worker who was fatally shot in her home in 2022. Dale shared the story of her daughter, emphasizing the ripple effects that gun crime has on family, friends, and the wider community. She highlighted the critical impact that personal choices have on future lives.
"This sadly happened to Ashley because of a relationship that she was in," Dale said. "I'm hoping by teaching girls and just, you know, sharing Ashley's story and our story about the importance of the choices that we make, how, you know, how impactful that can be on our future lives." By combining education, open discussion, and practical guidance, the organizers hope to provide students with the knowledge needed to break cycles of harm and encourage safer decision-making.
