Youngsters learn about violence against women

A scheme teaching children about violence against women is aimed at "empowering" the youngsters taking part, its organisers have said.

Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme's One Goal scheme has seen children and teenagers learning more about the issue in a bid to raise awareness.

South Yorkshire Police logged 34,349 crimes against women and girls in 2024, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and harassment, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by the BBC.

Molly Bulmer, youth and integration coordinator, who runs the sessions, said: "We thought we'd nip it in the bud at this age and get them to recognise it, so hopefully we can prevent further issues."

Ms Bulmer said such education was crucial because violence against women and girls usually began at a low level.

"It starts with stereotypical comments that get brushed off and become tolerable and acceptable in society," she said.

"That becomes more prevalent and it leads to abuse."

The scale of violence against women has been described by the Police Chiefs Council as a "national emergency".

Sessions for the One Goal programme have taken place at a youth club at Wincobank Village Hall in Sheffield.

As part of the sessions, children and teenagers have been inspired to design a Monopoly-style boardgame, focused on healthy relationships.

Eva, 11, one of those taking part, explained: "It's like normal Monopoly, but we have positive and negative spaces - and the negative is abuse. It's based on relationships with a partner."

Eva said she felt it was right to discuss these issues at a young age.

"I personally think it's better to learn it before rather than after, so that if we ever do get into a bad relationship, we know how to deal with it."

Meanwhile, Oliver, 14, said it was important that girls and boys discussed these issues alongside each other.

"If you do it together, you get two different mindsets, two different perspectives, and you could have different ideas about how to solve problems," he said.

Jacob Walkland, from the Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme, said the sessions included discussions about healthy relationships, stereotypes and consent.

"When we're speaking with young people, it can be quite sensitive," he said.

"But they're very engaged and it's something they're really getting on board with."

"Being able to be that mature and raising awareness on such an important topic is empowering to see," Mr Walkland added.

The work done by the One Goal project has been praised by South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard.

He said: "Working with partners, the government and the police, I will do everything I can to support victims and survivors of abuse and violence.

"Community projects like One Goal, which is funded by our Violence Reduction Unit, play such an important part in educating, supporting and empowering our young people to stop violence and abuse before it starts."

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