Young people urged to take advice on staying safe in relationships

Blackpool Council is holding a series of events after national statistics showed one in five girls and one in 10 boys aged under 16 have suffered sexual violence.

Meanwhile, Women’s Aid estimates that a woman, man or child is raped every six minutes in Britain.

The sessions, run by youth workers and community safety workers, will focus on issues including consent, the law around sexual violence, how to keep yourself and friends safe, inappropriate touching and respect in relationships.

The overarching theme is intimacy and the key message is to let people know they always have a choice as to whether or not to be intimate with someone and that all relationships should be free from pressure, coercion or fear of violence.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council said: “Sexual violence is wrong and we want to empower people to challenge inappropriate behaviour, report wrongdoing and avoid this type of situation altogether.

“I hope these sessions will prove useful and educational and help to strengthen the resilience of our community.”

All conversations and messaging will be age appropriate and tailored appropriately to the people staff are speaking to at venues which include Blackpool and The Fylde College.

A number of sessions have already been held but others will be on July 22 at Blackpool and The Fylde College between 11.45am and 1pm and between 5.15pm and 8.15pm; on July 23 at Stanley Park between 5.15pm and 8.15pm, on July 24 at Stanley Park between 5.15pm and 8.15pm; on July 29 at Blackpool and The Fylde College between 11.45am and 1pm; on July 30 at Stanley Park between 11am and 3pm and then later between 5.15pm and 8.15pm; and on August 1 at Bank Hey Street opposite Primark between 1pm and 4pm.