Sexual Bullying – target group year 9/10
This assembly makes the links between violence against women and sexual bullying, showing the impact that our social acceptance of violence has on the school and the students and staff who work there.
The ‘Imagine a World’ idea was developed by Amnesty International and the quotes used are taken from interviews they have conducted with young people around the theme. Select the quotations you consider most appropriate for your audience. If the assembly is being developed by year 9/10 students as part of a White Ribbon Campaign, the quotes could be read out be different students.
Amnesty International would really like to hear your views on this assembly. Please contact:
charlotte.phillips@amnesty.org.ukIf there is normally music at the beginning of assemblies, you could play John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’
We can all daydream about a better world, or a happier life, but we can’t always do something to make that dream come true.
Amnesty International, recently carried out some research where they asked people to imagine a world where women did not live in fear of violence. I’d like you to spend a couple of minutes thinking about how you would answer that question…(if appropriate, ask for some feedback)
Here are some of the responses people gave Amnesty when they asked:
“There would be so much more happiness and freedom.”
“Both male and female would be able to have so much more fun + lead more exciting, fulfilling lives.”
“My mum would not be bothered about me being out at night or when it’s gone dark.”
“Everyone will have equal rights and so many women and girls will be able to smile. Men will be able to cuddle their daughters and sisters in public.”
“I would be able to walk home alone without having to check behind me when I hear footsteps.”
“I could spend more time talking out in the street than talking in my house.”
“I could go out with a boy without my mum asking loads of questions.”
“No one would be branded because of the clothes we wear.”
“Men would be free to show affection without being accused.”
“Women and girls would be able to live in a non-sexist world especially at schools.”
“Girls will not grow up feeling intimidated by men.”
“I would always feel safe to go out or go home on the bus on my own or walk home on my own. I could do a lot more things than I would do.”
“Children won’t grow up hating and fearing their father.”
“I can switch on the news without hearing of rape/murder of women.”
“Women could do their jobs without being intimidated or undermined.”
“Women could talk to other men without being accused of cheating on their partners.”
“Women won’t grow up thinking that violence is correct.”
“I could wear what I like and not feel it put me at risk.”
“Children could relax at home knowing they couldn’t be hurt.”
“Women won’t be forced into unwanted marriages, pregnancy and abortion.”
“People can be friends with whatever sex they want to.”
“You could be seen with your friends who are boys and not feel that people are judging you.”
“Women could have a good education without being made to feel dumb.”
“There’d be less mental problems/ psychological problems.”
““Home” will be a place of safety “
“A short skirt/ being drunk/ dancing –will not be “asking for it”.
“Saying “yes” once will not negate a women’s right to say “no” in the future.”
“Girls wouldn’t have to throw their childhood away by underage pregnancies.”
“Women could feel they could talk openly, have a voice and opinion without being “shouted down.”
“Children would not have to hide in their rooms whilst their mothers are being abused.”
People would no longer blame women and girls for doing something to “deserve” it.”
“Young women will not be subjected to inappropriate sexual advances from men.”
“People would start to see that all violence is wrong.”
“Little children will be brought up in happy, secure, and protected surroundings.”
“Women will not feel that they are the property of men.”
“Women will feel that they are worth something.”
“Women will be seen as individuals and not owned by men. They will be able to speak their minds without fear of being judged.”
“Everyone would get along better and women wouldn’t feel dominated by men. We would be able to stand up for ourselves without worrying about the consequences.”
“There would be a more positive attitude between males and females.”
“When around women, I will be treated differently, as the women will feel safer and that I am less of a threat.”
“There would be no women with black eyes in my local supermarket. There would be no rape. Women would drink less and take fewer drugs and therefore be better mothers. Boys would be brought up in a better more positive way.”
“Men and women will communicate differently.”
“Women would gain confidence about themselves and feel free. Men might also feel that they are not constantly being watched around women making them feel better.”
Now I realise that we can’t all wave a magic wand and make this happen everywhere, but we can think about what we can change in our own lives and in the life of our school, that would make a start. Some of the ideas those young men and women gave should make us stop and think:
“Women and girls would be able to live in a non-sexist world especially at schools.”
Is this the way life is for girls and women in our school? Or do they feel that their lives would be easier here if they were male? Maybe we should ask them!
“People can be friends with whatever sex they want to.”
Do we choose the people we hang around with because we like them, or because we’re worried about what other people will say about us if we are seen with them? Or do we make it hard for other people to mix freely, by spreading gossip and rumours, or by name calling or isolating them?
“Women could have a good education without being made to feel dumb.”
Do we make it hard for other students to get a good education by shouting them down, or making fun of them? Do we do this more to boys or to girls?
“Men and women will communicate differently.”
Do we show each other respect when we talk to each other and when we move around the school? How could we change the ways we communicate so that we all feel respected for who we are, both physically and mentally?
“People would start to see that all violence is wrong.”
Most violence is used to make people do what they would not choose to do otherwise. Violence is a lack of respect for each individual’s right to be who they are. If we can imagine a school where there is no violence against women, we can make a school where there is no violence. It depends on each one of us as individuals and on all of us as a community.
25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. How can we use it to make our school a safer place? Bring your ideas to your form tutor or your class representative on the school council – or to me. If we can have a day when we show respect to everyone, then why not a week, or a month or a year? You’ve heard what the young people interviewed by Amnesty said:
“Both male and female would be able to have so much more fun + lead more exciting, fulfilling lives.”
And isn’t that what everyone wants?
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