No More 2024

Can there really be a world where there is ‘No More’ domestic abuse or sexual violence? As we think about ‘No More’ week I wanted to address the hope (and lack of it) in eradicating domestic and sexual violence from our world.

Today I was delivering an Empowered Relationships workshop where we worked through what healthy, unhealthy, and un-acceptable relational behaviours are. I ended those sessions with hope in my heart that all 60 young people I taught had been encouraged, to be able to spot unhealthy behaviours in themselves and others. Equipped, with the knowledge of what green and red flags to look out for in their relationships and empowered to know what to do about all of the above.

But was it enough to ensure that these innocent sweet (and spicy) young people wouldn’t grow up to be an abuser or be abused? With a heavy heart, I have to say NO!

At LVA we work in prevention and early intervention and we do what we can, as many organisations and institutions like ours do, but sometimes it feels like we are swimming against the current. we are up against the lived experience of domestic and sexual violence, p*rn culture, toxic masculinity, and a lack of resources (the list goes on).

So should we just give up and give in to the current?

Well of course the answer is a resounding NO! One of our strap lines at LVA is “You can’t change the world but you can change the world for one person”. If just one child leaves our workshops feeling equipped to tell a trusted adult about a lived experience of historic or current abuse, we have made a difference. If just one child leaves a workshop feeling empowered to not continue the generational abusive behaviours they have grown up witnessing, we have made a difference. If just one child leaves our workshop encouraged to hold their mates accountable for unhealthy/toxic behaviours and create a culture of accountability in their friendship group, we have made a difference.

‘No More’ week is about a world of individuals coming together, not to simply tell other people what they should and shouldn’t be doing to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence, but also to look at ourselves and our relationships and do what we can within the spaces we are in; “changing the world one person at a time” starting with ourselves!

Ultimately there is hope! and each and every one of us can make a difference in eliminating domestic and sexual violence and supporting those who have survived it. No matter how small the ripple of our input is, it’s still a ripple and millions of ripples can make a wave!

If you have experienced domestic or sexual violence or know someone who has check out the helplines and places to get support below, whether you are an adult or a young person!

If you would like to partner with us in our mission to have a world where there is NO MORE abusive or toxic behaviour in intimate relationships you can sponsor a workshop. It costs us £75 per class (30 children).

Hit that button below and be part of the change we seek!

Sponsor an Empowered Relationships Workshop

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