Pupils learn about violence prevention

Pupils from Park School, Cumnock Supported Learning Centre and Kilmarnock, Grange, Loudoun, Stewarton, Cumnock and Auchinleck Academies took part in a Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme recently at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock. The programme explored gender-based violence, recognising the scope of violent behaviour and child protection issues.

Through MVP, mentors are trained to speak out against rape, dating violence, sexual harassment, bullying and all forms of violent and abusive behaviour using real life scenarios that speak to the experiences of young people in secondary schools. One of the workshops was led by fifth year Kilmarnock Academy pupils Kyle Henderson and Aimee Purdie.

The programme is supported by East Ayrshire Women’s Aid and Police Scotland, both of whom also led workshops at the event.   

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “The programme helps young people in secondary schools to tackle issues that relate to culture, beliefs and attitudes towards violence, in particular gender-based violence.

“Crucially, it alerts pupils to the responsibilities they have to intervene or report such incidents if they witness them or become aware of them. All of the pupils who took part were really engaged and willing to learn more about this topic which sadly affects far too many people in our society today.”