Throughout March we delivered school awareness sessions in Kinlochleven and Strontian, speaking to 89 pupils from S1 to S6.
Each session is adapted depending on the age group, but the focus is the same. Helping young people understand what healthy relationships look like, and what is not okay.
With S1, we used a quiz to look at what domestic abuse is. It is a good starting point and quickly highlights what is understood and what is not. There is often an assumption that abuse is only physical, so this is where we begin to widen that understanding.
S2 focused on healthy relationships. Pupils created their “perfect partner” and we talked about how someone can seem ideal but still treat you badly. It led to honest discussions about respect, boundaries, and the pressure to accept certain behaviours.
S3 sessions looked at red flags. The kinds of behaviours that are often brushed off or normalised. Constant messaging, jealousy, checking up on someone. Once these are named, there is a shift in how they are seen.
With S5 and S6, we focused on misogyny. Looking at how attitudes towards women show up in everyday life and how that links to behaviour in relationships. These were more direct conversations, and pupils were open about what they see and hear.
Across all groups, there is awareness, but also clear gaps, especially when it comes to non-physical abuse. Many of these behaviours are still seen as normal or even expected.
That is why this work matters. These conversations give young people the chance to question what they have been told, think about their own views, and recognise when something is not right.
We will continue working with local schools to keep these sessions going.
