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Support for children, young people and schools

Sandwell Women’s Aid has a long history of working with staff and pupils in Sandwell primary and secondary schools and youth settings. We provide a number of awareness and support programmes that:
◦Provide free domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual exploitation awareness training for children, young people and professionals who work directly with them
◦Challenge negative myths and stereotypes held around domestic violence, gender and culture
◦Provide information, skills and knowledge to allow children and young people to access support networks
◦Identify potential/current victims of abuse and offer them further support

TRAPPED (Teenage Relationship Abuse) Programme
The TRAPPED (Teenage Relationship Abuse) programme was developed in partnership with the Home Office and West Midlands Police. The programme offers lessons and workshops that raise awareness and challenge young people’s attitudes and beliefs, and works within the national curriculum framework for PHSE. Prior to delivery SWA will work with schools/youth centres to identify needs and expected outcomes as well as all safeguarding practices. For more about TRAPPED, please visit our Resources page.

Vulnerable Individuals Voicing Action (VIVA)
Following on from the delivery of TRAPPED those identified as at risk are invited to a 6 week group support programme. The programme further explores risks to educate and empower participants, and where appropriate offers one to one work with the young person who is/potentially being exploited. Maximum numbers are 12.
The course covers the following topics:
•Confidence/self esteem building
•Risk taking
•Healthy relationships: friends, family and intimate; safeguarding our heart and mind
•Trusted adults
•Respecting ourselves, our emotional well-being
•Person centred planning – focus on our futures
•Train the Trainer for peer delivery

Parental consent and safeguarding procedures will be observed at all times.
In addition to the schools work, we offer three two-hour workshops to youth centres, which cover issues such as domestic violence, rape, sexual violence and exploitation.