Voices raised on gender-based violence issues

Gender-based violence was the focus as more than 200 young people attended a special assembly in Paisley Town Hall.

- TAYLOR MURRAY

Young people from Renfrewshire and its surrounding areas gathered to hear from Dr Jackson Katz, the creator and co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme.

It is the first large-scale global prevention and peer mentoring leadership initiative for young people.

Renowned American educator and author Dr Katz addressed those present with Nicola Sykes, a senior education officer from Education Scotland, also on hand to discuss how schools across the country are tackling gender-based violence through the MVP programme.

The Action for Change event was organised by Renfrewshire Council’s youth services and children’s services, and Education Scotland.

All Renfrewshire schools have established the MVP programme - equipping young people with the skills they need to tackle violence when they see it and provide peer support.

Renfrewshire’s young people voted to prevent violence as their top priority at a youth assembly held during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.