Pupils get anti violence lesson

Cox Green: Charity teaches children about ‘ripple effects’

A thought-provoking talk about the consequences of violent behaviour was delivered to Cox Green School pupils.

Stand Against Violence (SAV), an organisation dedicated to preventing attacks by young people, spoke to years seven and 10 students at the school, in Highfield Lane.

SAV was set up following the death of Lloyd Fouracre, a 17-year-old who was victim of an unprovoked attack in Somerset, resulting in his death.

The SAV assemblies, part of Cox Green’s PSHE programme, involved a reconstruction of the attack, followed by interviews with Lloyd’s family.

“Everyone can put themselves in that position,” said Richard Remington, who works at SAV.

“We show the ripple effects of violence – how many people are affected.”

SAV also looks at violence from the perpetrator’s perspective, showing the impact it has on their own psyche.

“You don’t have to be a terrible person to do something like that – you can be anyone, you can just lose your temper,” said Richard.

“Showing this has a significant, lasting impact on young people, to encourage them to think twice, and choose non-violent conflict resolution.”

Richard added: “It is hardhitting, we’re unapologetic about that.”

Sharon Bisset-Garside, PSHE co-ordinator at Cox Green, said: “Both talks were engaging, informative and well-received by our students.

“We are really looking forward to an ongoing partnership with Stand Against Violence.”

SAV will be returning to deliver similar workshops to Cox Green later this year. It also covers the effects of drugs, alcohol and cyberbullying.

The talk took place at the school on Monday, January 13.

‘We show the ripple effects of violence, how many people are affected’