African Institute AISD will launch Gender Campaign for Teens against violence

In 2010, The African Institute for Social Development(AISD) champions equality and right to fair treatment between both teenagers and young people. We support and campaign for a progressive home and school education that deals with sexuaity, gender, power and violance as HIV and Sexual Health studies show that those issues are closely related.
AISD will campagn along side the government to fight against violence among young people especially those in sexual relationships to improve lives and prevent all forms of abuses. It is appropriate to support African young people and involve teenagers in the below government campaign

Teen partner violence campaign launching 15
February 2010
As a first step in the long-term commitment to change public attitudes towards violence against women and girls, the government is launching a marketing campaign to tackle attitudes to violence in teenagerelationshipson 15 February 2010. Recent NSPCC research showed that violence in teenage relationships is highly prevalent and that teenagers have surprisingly tolerant attitudes to violence in relationships. Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships, Barter et al (University of Bristol and NSPCC,2009)
Evidence also shows that coercive and controlling behaviour canescalate into both physical and sexual violence and lead to repeat instances.

Campaign aims
The campaign is aiming to interrupt the pattern of violence by showing teens that the behaviour is unacceptable and to influence them before their attitudes or behaviour become too entrenched. Home Office is leading on the campaign and DH is working alongside them to ensure the relevant health messages are incorporated into the work. The marketing campaign is intended to challenge the attitudes of 13-18yearolds, getting them to re-think their views by showing them that they do not have to accept or tolerate violence in relationships. Parents and carers also need to be made aware that teen partner violence is a problem so that they can pick up on any potential relationships where violence could escalate and talk to their teens about this very difficult subject.

Media
The campaign is launching with a TV campaign on youth TV channels, supported with posters in places that young people frequent, press and editorial in girls magazines, radio partnerships for boys and a digital online presence to send all teens for more information or help andadvice. In order to raise awareness of the issue to parents and carers, pressadvertisements will be placed in women's weekly and lifestyle magazines alongside editorial. Professional-facing comms

A specific leaflet has been produced for health professionals providing background and a link to support materials including child safeguarding guidance. As well as Home Office working with DH, they are liaising with DCSF to develop campaign materials to target teachers. This includes packs for schools to support the campaign.



Actions for NHS
Please promote by downloading the campaign posters and leaflets and displaying in waiting rooms and where relevant. Professionals are to familiarise themselves with the issues surrounding teen partner violence by visiting the relevant links below.

Web links
From 15 February 2010:
NHS communicators: download campaign materials and read more aboutthecampaign at http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/
NHS health professionals: read safeguarding guidance and find outaboutthe campaign at http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Teens can find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/thisisabuse
Parents can find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/spotteenabuse
If you have any further questions about the campaign, please email violence@dh.gsi.gov.uk



Please write to AISD at africaninstitute@live.co.uk contact us through our blogger