The POW project is an educational training programme focusing on the different strands of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The name ‘POW’ (Protect Our Women) was given by the young people of Haringey who also helped to shape the content and design of the project.
The topics covered are:
- Domestic Abuse
- Sexual Violence
- Stalking & Harassment
- Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
- Prostitution
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Forced Marriage
- Honour Based Violence (HBV)
POW is delivered under Solace Women’s Aid and funded by Haringey Council. The project is for all young people aged between 11-25 years and professionals and volunteers who work directly with young people. Each workshop lasts for an hour and by the end of the project every young people will have the opportunity to gain an AQA award in ‘Understanding the different strands of Violence Against Women and Girls.’ All workshops are adjusted where necessary to cater to the audience we are delivering to. We have delivered this project to a large number of young people across different schools, sixth forms and youth community groups and we have seen how beneficial it is for the young people who attend.
These are the outcomes that the programme delivers to meet:
1. Young people can identify all eight types of violence against women and girls and are aware of situations where someone may be at risk of violence.
2. Young people are confident in challenging someone’s abusive behaviour/ language where safe and appropriate to do so.
3. Young people understand the legal implications of each type of violence
4. Young people are aware of suitable sources that offer support after abuse.
There is a Training for Trainers (T4T) aspect to the programme as well. Anyone aged 16 plus can be trained to become a volunteer group facilitator themselves and go on to co facilitate future projects. They will be given the title ‘POW Champion’ within their organisation for violence against women and girls so will have training on how to deal appropriately with safeguarding concerns.
The POW project has been a real eye-opening experience; it enables students to learn and talk openly about pertinent issues that are highly emotive and are not always easy to address within education. The whole experience challenged the students (and me!) to rethink these important issues and how much we think we know about them, as well as educating about what we can all do ourselves to help and what other support services are available.
The delivery of material was really interactive; each workshop covers distinct topics with lots of ways for the students to get involved through discussion and group work. Some of the material is highly-sensitive, but the facilitator handles the topics skilfully and enables students to engage with some very difficult issues and facts. The facilitator created an atmosphere of openness and respect that allowed the students to voice their opinions honestly without fear of judgement. One thing I thought was particularly effective was the way the facilitator engaged the students to discuss points and issues, rather than simply instructing them what is right and what is wrong.
Running the POW project with our Y12 students was one of those most interesting and rewarding projects I have ever been part of, so much so that I am undertaking training to become a POW Champion to be able to facilitate groups in the future. I would whole-heartedly recommend it to other schools- get on board quick whilst you can!”
– Ruth Cassell, Sixth Form Academic Coach
For more information, see the POW leaflet (PDF, 432KB), or contact Lorraine Anderson – 07467 145 659 / l.anderson@solacewomensaid.org