A powerful drama production is touring Tameside schools to highlight violence against women and girls and help young people to challenge harmful behaviours.
The initiative, called ‘Blind Side’, has been jointly commissioned by Tameside Council and GMP as part of the wider work to support to national White Ribbon Day and 16 Days of Action against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The production, by Breaking Barriers, involves a 20 minute monologue performance followed by a 30 minute facilitated workshop that allows young people to delve deeper into what VAWG means, how they can be better allies to their peers, how to spot and approach gender imbalances, and where to seek support.
It follows extensive research where Breaking Barriers spent over three months speaking to 1000 young people from primary school age up to college age, in Tameside to hear their lived experiences on VAWG. These conversations were then expertly and anonymously worked into the script by writers Nicola Schofield and Mary Cooper.
The production is supported by a pre-film, which will be watched in classrooms before children see the monologue. It will introduce them to the themes of VAWG and allow them an opportunity to discuss their thoughts in the safety of their classrooms. The production then builds upon their knowledge and gives them in-person discussion opportunities following the performance.
