Pilot tackles MVP issues

A programme, aimed at tackling, gender-based violence and bullying, has been successfully rolled out in high schools in Wishaw, Motherwell and Shotts.

The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Programme was first devised in the United States in the 1990s but was successfully piloted in North Lanarkshire at Calderhead High in Shotts.

Now staff in 15 North Lanarkshire schools including Calderhead, Coltness High, Clyde Valley High and Our Lady’s High School in Motherwell have been trained and are now implementing MVP in their schools.

In a report to the councill’s education committee, NLC’s head of education Lizanne McMurrich said:“MVP was introduced in Scottish schools in 2012 in response to issues of gender violence and bullying and aims to support young people to become leaders who help influence the attitudes and behaviour of peers.

“Senior pupils are trained as mentors to younger pupils and lead sessions based on realistic scenarios, using discussion and role-play to explore topics such as rumours, sexting and coercive behaviour.

“The programme also looks at the attitudes and influences that lead to gender-based violence.”

Over 126 mentors have now been trained across North Lanarkshire with 2375 pupils participated in the sessions put on by staff and pupils.

According to Scottish Government figures, the rate of reported cases of domestic abuse in North Lanarkshire is above the national average for Scotland.

Across the country domestic abuse incidents are rising and there is evidence that young girls are encountering more physical, emotional and sexual partner violence.

The council’s Convener of Education Frank McNally said:“The MVP programme has been a great success, with over 2,000 pupils participating in sessions in 2015/16.

“There is evidence the programme has helped reduce bullying and violence in our schools, which is greatly welcomed.”