V.I.P. Programme
Location
develop evidence-based prevention programmes for all children to provide them with skills and knowledge to stay safe, change attitudes that lead to violence, empower survivors to break silence and get intervention and tackle inequalities. get prevention into all schools. For those who disclose abuse support and help is provided.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
laurie
Last Name
matthew
Organization
Eighteen And Under
Country
United Kingdom
Section 2: About Your Organization
Is this initiative/innovation linked to any established organization?
Yes
Organization Name
Eighteen And Under
Organization Website
Organization Phone
01382206222
Organization Address
1, Victoria Road, Dundee
Organization Country
United Kingdom
Is your organization a
CSO/NGO
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Your idea
Name Your Project
V.I.P. Programme
What stage is your project in?
Operating for more than 5 years
When was the project initiated? or When are you planning to begin?
The original idea was first sparked in 1998 as a result of the numbers of young women who were seeking help from our support services. We found that huge numbers were coming forward and talking about abuse and violence which could have been prevented and dealt with sooner if they had had greater awareness and information. Many of the girls had not even known that the sexual abuse they had experienced was wrong and they had no knowledge of what they could do about it. In many cases the girls did not know they would be believed or could get help. in some cases there was clear evidence that they had been completely at a loss about what to do to stay safe and blamed themselves for the abuse. Clearly there was an identified need to teach children about personal safety and abuse issues. Also, there was a need to tackle the gender inequality, racism and homophobia that had sometimes led to abusive behaviours.
Describe your idea and explain why it is innovative
develop evidence-based prevention programmes for all children to provide them with skills and knowledge to stay safe, change attitudes that lead to violence, empower survivors to break silence and get intervention and tackle inequalities. get prevention into all schools. For those who disclose abuse support and help is provided.
What kind of beneficiaries is your initiative addressed to?
Girls, Youth.
Describe the profile of the beneficiaries of this project
Mainly children and young people are the beneficiaries. Initially we planned to develop the resource and try them in communities to make sure they were effective. We measured a base line prior to trying the programmes and followed it us after delivery of the programmes. once we were certain that there was an evidence base to the work, we began to develop further resources and programmes until we had programmes for all ages and abilities. then we began to roll it out and try it in different cultures and areas to ensure it was effective.
We are now at the stage of delivering these programmes to around 1600 young people a month and training around 150 teachers and youth workers in how to deliver also. Every child in schools we work in receives a minimum of 6 sessions. in time this will cascade so that more and more children and young people will be reached.
Around one third of young people disclose personal harm during the delivery and interventions include both formal and non formal actions to support the young person.
After initial delivery to whole school more focused work is then carried out to address any identified issues which were raised during the programme delivery.
What is your initiative’s implementation strategy?
Development of the resources and the programmes followed by a thorough pilot and independent evaluation to measure effectiveness. Forming of partnerships with parents, children, young people, teachers, social services and police to plan the long and short term goals.
Encouraging whole communities to work together with a prevention mindset rather than waiting till abuse and violence occurs before taking action and getting the resources to stop fire-fighting and stop the fires from being lit. Getting to the core reasons for violence and abuse and tackling them in a focused and sustained manner.
In your opinion, what are the main barriers or obstacles in connection with this theme?
Funding is the main barrier and the reason it has taken time. resources go to criminal justice and heath services to provide services for survivors of sexual abuse before they go to prevention work with very young children to teach about safety.
What type of partnerships you have or intend to generate strategic alliances with for the development of this initiative? Choose all that apply
State departments or areas, International organizations, Non-Government organizations, Social organizations, Universities, Schools.
Describe with whom you have generated these alliances and how
We have developed partnerships with many schools in order to run our programmes within the schools. this has taken time and is hard work but worthwhile.
As we roll our programmes out, we bring together partnerships of different agencies in the area. we provide them with information and get them to work together and think about the prevention approach with children and young people.
We have formed partnerships with organisation such as women's aid and rape crisis in different areas so that they are available to learn how to use our prevention programmes, they can then deliver in their own areas to local schools and can provide services for young people who disclose abuse. We do the same with the police and offer training to them if they go into schools.
We have partner agencies in Poland and Palestine who are translating our resources and programmes and piloting them in these countries. they are also about to adapt them culturally.
We are partners with the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women's Refugee Organisation based in London and have developed resource with them to tackle issues such as honour killings, FGM and forced marriage. They are also rolling the programmes out to the Middle East with us.
We are partners with Broken Rainbow in London. This is the national organisation for LGBT people who have experienced domestic violence. With them, we have developed resource to tackle domestic abuse in same sex relationships, tackle inequalities, hate crimes and homophobia
What are the main results generated and/or expected to generate by means of this initiative?
An increase in young people disclosing abuse and personal harm and getting help
A reduction in gendered violence, racism, homophobic.
A change in attitudes that lead to abuse and violence.
What is the main impact that your initiative might generate?
A slow but measurable change in society towards better equality for all and less abuse and violence until the members in society will no longer tolerate any inequality or violence.
This Entry is about (Issues)
 | laurie1053 said: It is good to hear about what you are doing and how you are doing it. We do work with young men too but we are fortunate enough to be ... about this Competition Entry. - 698 days ago read more > |
| The Solar Cinema said: I love the work you are doing, and in Scotland too. Glad to see some interventions from the UK (and some from the USA too). We are ... about this Competition Entry. - 698 days ago read more > |
| shauntaylor498 said: This is without doubt the greatest Safety Awareness and Violence Prevention programme in the world. VIP (Violence Is Preventable) has ... about this Competition Entry. - 722 days ago read more > |
| sandramc n marcus said: It does really work!! This is a very unique project, it stands alone in the task to tackle any kind of violence and prevent it from ... about this Competition Entry. - 723 days ago read more > |
| laurie1053 said: V.I.P. is so adaptable that it works across cultures and communities. Some of the V.I.P. Programmes are now translated into a few ... about this Competition Entry. - 724 days ago read more > |
| Big Red said: As an outsider and not a volunteer of Eighteen and Under, I can also confirm that the programme is indeed impressive. There is not only ... about this Competition Entry. - 724 days ago read more > |
| keir5680 said: I LOVE this programme, this is the best prevention project i have ever seen, and according to independent research the best ... about this Competition Entry. - 724 days ago read more > |
| Katy1211 said: The Violence Is Preventable project is absolutely groundbreaking in terms of it's innovation, achievements and success rate. A recent ... about this Competition Entry. - 727 days ago read more > |
| Barry_eggleton said: The VIP Project is great. It should be rolled out to every school, nursery and social work department in the world about this Competition Entry. - 728 days ago read more > |
| marley2580 said: The vip programme is better than sliced bread. I read the tots stuff to my daughters and already the 2 year old can identify some feelings. about this Competition Entry. - 728 days ago read more > |
Comments
The V.I.P. Project is different because it allows children to have a tremendous amount of fun while they are learning. They are allowed to move around the classroom and make a noise which creates a totally different atmosphere. The V.I.P. workers create a setting where it is possible for children to tell about abuse of any kind.
The programme has also been independently evaluated so it is not just a case of enjoying the sessions and having fun. This programme has proven value which is one of the many things that make it unique.
I have been to V.I.P. sessions where the children are running around, playing the games and making a great deal of noise then, while answering one of the questions, a little one discloses an incident of violence or abuse that they have suffered. It is absolutely amazing to watch the others immediately fall silent to let to let the child speak, then draw closer to show their support.
Eighteen And Under have also adapted the resources for those with sight, hearing, physical and learing difficulties. The resources have been translated into different languages such as Arabic, Kurdish and Polish with more to follow. They have also been adapted for use with vulnerable adults which must make it one of the most inclusive programmes ever!
I have been a volunteer for 18 & Under for the past 10 years. Throughout these years we have been developing a programme known as the VIP (Violence is preventable) Programme. This programme is aimed at children from as young as 3 years old, to elderly residents that have become vulnerable through age.
The programme is the ONLY evidenced based programme, in the world, that has proven to allow children to speak of violence or abuse in their family community or area where they live.
The programme has also been proven to encourage young people to disclose abuse at an earlier age, therefore they can come to terms with their abuse at an earlier stage and become stable happier adults.
We have been tackling all violence against women, however, we take a broader outlook and cover violence against girls boys and also men. If we all work together and use the skills from diffferent organisations, we could acheive great things and help stop global violence.
The vip programme is better than sliced bread. I read the tots stuff to my daughters and already the 2 year old can identify some feelings.
The VIP Project is great. It should be rolled out to every school, nursery and social work department in the world
The Violence Is Preventable project is absolutely groundbreaking in terms of it's innovation, achievements and success rate. A recent evaluation carried out by the University of Dundee found the VIP project to be the only abuse prevention programme, worldwide, to be effective in both primary and secondary levels of prevention. This means that not only is the project successful in raising personal safety awareness, but also gains disclosures meaning abuse can be stopped sooner. The VIP project has been an established project working with hundreds of thousands of people aged from 2-102 for eleven years. This is an evidence based project, it works, yet so many other organisations are constantly trying to re-invent the wheel. We are surely all working towards the same goal of trying to eradicate the violence and abuse that is so prominent in all of our day to day lives and we can all do this by using the VIP project.
I LOVE this programme,
this is the best prevention project i have ever seen, and according to independent research the best prevention programme there is!
not only is the VIP programme the most effective prevention programme in the WORLD it is also such an inclusive one.
the project works with parents/toddlers/children/teenagers/people with special needs/disabled AND the elderly.
this programme is also really effective with all children not just girls! it works in such a way as to protect all vunerable people and assumes that anyone, regardless of age/gender/whatever can be an abuser or victim/survivor.
the only prevention programme i would reccomend to any and everyone, VIP ROCKS!!!
As an outsider and not a volunteer of Eighteen and Under, I can also confirm that the programme is indeed impressive.
There is not only a massive array of excellent workable material the programme itself is transferable through out all ages from nursery to OAPs.
Having witnessed the programme recently, VIP is fun and interactive as well as empowering pupils with important safety messages. The VIP programme does not discriminate against any subjects and is well equipped to tackle many controversial issues avoided by usual classroom etiquette.
A well trialled and evidenced programme with a refreshing an honest take on working with young (and old) people.
V.I.P. is so adaptable that it works across cultures and communities. Some of the V.I.P. Programmes are now translated into a few different languages and being tried out in other countries. A Polish translation of some of the resources is now available and so too is an Arabic and Kurdish translation. This is thanks to the many and growing partnerships we now have with agencies and individuals across the world.
It does really work!! This is a very unique project, it stands alone in the task to tackle any kind of violence and prevent it from happening. This project should be made available to girls AND boys of all ages. There is far too much violence in this world. This program can help to teach kids to stop violence AND help them speak to a trusted adult if they are suffering from violence. You get my vote V.I.P
This is without doubt the greatest Safety Awareness and Violence Prevention programme in the world. VIP (Violence Is Preventable) has won many awards over the years and it has been proven through independent research to work on two levels, firstly to increase the awareness of safety for children and secondly to increase the number of disclosures of abuse.
Any age can benefit from the VIP Programme and a number of different nationalities can too. Check it out :)
I love the work you are doing, and in Scotland too. Glad to see some interventions from the UK (and some from the USA too).
We are working with the 14-18 age group too, but only with men. You might consider using some more popular media in your work to attract and inform men too! We are using community cinema to attract young men and train them in personal skills to prevent and abate instances of domestic violence.
Good luck, stay well, and keep in touch!
Will Muir
www.solarcinema.org
http://www.changemakers.com/en-us/node/71488
It is good to hear about what you are doing and how you are doing it. We do work with young men too but we are fortunate enough to be able to work both in schools and communities with boys and girls and different communities.Since you are using community cinema, and we have several DVD's with a variety of thought and discussion provoking scenes on them, perhaps you would like to try some of the V.I.P. scenes in your community. Perhaps we could share ideas and resources? We have partners in many other countries and welcome more joined up working and sharing.
check out our resources
www.violenceispreventable.org.uk