Runners, walkers and joggers are set to take part in the annual Run For The 97 event in Liverpool, bringing communities together to remember the Hillsborough disaster and support local charities.
Merseyside Police and the LFC Foundation have launched a collaborative initiative designed to educate secondary school students on the importance of tackling violence against women and girls. As part of a broader regional campaign, students across the Merseyside area are participating in workshops during their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PHSE) lessons to address critical issues, including healthy relationships, consent, anger management, peer pressure, bystander awareness, and online behavior.
This educational effort is intended to help students, particularly boys, better understand acceptable behavior and the impact of misogynistic attitudes.
By fostering open conversations, the program aims to provide young people with the tools to reflect on their choices and contribute to safer communities. Fey Smith, the Safer Schools Coordinator at Merseyside Police, stated that the sessions are designed to help boys understand what constitutes acceptable behavior, especially concerning abusive or misogynistic actions. The program has drawn support from various public figures, including former boxer Tony Bellew and actor Jack McMullen. Their involvement, alongside law enforcement and community partners, highlights the collective commitment to promoting a culture where women and girls feel safer.
Matt Parish, CEO of the LFC Foundation, noted that educating young men is vital in this effort. He emphasized that the Foundation’s youth intervention team continues to provide ongoing support to young people in the Liverpool City Region, facilitating essential discussions on these sensitive topics. Emphasizing the preventative nature of this initiative, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell explained that early engagement is key to preventing harmful attitudes from taking root. By bringing together schools, the police, and community organizations, this partnership seeks to encourage young men to support one another and actively promote safety.
