Young people involved with Women’s Aid NI yesterday launched two impactful new tools to support their peers to stay safe and understanding healthy relationships. These tools are part of the SAY (Social Action Youth) project, an initiative by Women’s Aid NI, involving young people with direct experience of domestic abuse. As part of the project, they have developed an innovative website to help children and young people learn about healthy relationships—both with others and, most importantly, with themselves.
The event, which took place in Parliament Buildings last night, also featured the launch of the ‘Be Like SACC’ program, designed to provide trauma-informed resources and a compelling animation. These tools aim to empower professionals working with children and young people affected by domestic abuse, enabling them to become ‘Social Action Children’s Champions.’
The launch was attended by many of the young people involved in the project and heard from decision makers including the Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Junior Minister Aisling Reilly, and the Education Minister, Paul Givan.
Speaking about the importance of preventative education, Minister Givan stated:
“The SAY website provides a vital educational resource, which may be used by schools to enhance delivery of healthy relationships. It is a powerful tool as it incorporates the voices of lived experience into the curriculum. My department is committed to working jointly with others to prevent domestic abuse and violence against women.”
The event also heard from Bernie McNally, Chair of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, who said:
“SBNI is delighted to have been able to support the young people involved in the creation of ‘Be like SACC’ and to now be able to share this invaluable resource with the professionals across all of the 21 member agencies of the SBNI, as well as colleagues in the community and voluntary sector, to inform them in how they best support children and young people affected by domestic abuse.”
Sarah Mason, CEO of Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland, also commented, saying:
“Women’s Aid were thrilled to be back at parliament buildings with young people from our SAY project. There is no better place for them to have their voices heard and to showcase and celebrate the groundbreaking resources they have created. We are so proud of what the young people have achieved together, and we know these resources are going to make such a difference. Young people deserve to live in a society where they can live free from abuse and feel empowered to create change for the generations that come after them and that’s exactly what the SAY project was all about.”
The SAY project’s website, filled with its fantastic trauma informed resources, can be found by visiting: sayni.org.uk