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Support for children, young people and schools

by Black Country Women's Aid

About our activities / service

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.

Staff qualifications	Staff qualified
Genders	All
Age focus	6 year olds, 7 year olds, 8 year olds, 9 year olds, 10 year olds, 11 year olds, 12 year olds, 13 year olds, 14 year olds, 15 year olds, 16 year olds, 17 year olds, 18 year olds

About the organisation

Black Country Women’s Aid is an independent charity which has been supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in the West Midlands for the last 25 years. BCWA offer sensitive and holistic support services which help victims of abuse to escape from violence, cope with trauma and move on with their lives. Support services include: • Domestic Abuse team supporting victims (female and male) in the community and at court; • Domestic Abuse Refuges offering a safe place to stay for women and children escaping their abusers; • Black Country Rape and Sexual Violence Service supporting victims (female and male) of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse with practical advocacy and specialist counselling; • Young People’s Team supporting children and young people who have suffered domestic abuse, rape and child sexual exploitation and providing education work in Sandwell schools; • Modern Day Slavery Service offers safe refuge and community support to people under the NRM (National Referral Mechanism) who have been trafficked to the UK; • Women’s Justice Services providing support to female offenders. BCWA also provide training and awareness sessions to professionals and community members across all of these specialist areas. BCWA work in partnership with statutory and voluntary services to support victims, raise awareness of issues of abuse, and develop new approaches to reaching the most vulnerable victims.