Over 20 children from Dundee and Fife will get the full VIP treatment today (Thursday) as they attend the launch of Eighteen And Under’s new DVD at Dundee Contemporary Arts. They will arrive in style in a Rolls Royce provided by Home James and a limousine provided by James Ashton & Son, and then walk the red carpet flanked by paparazzi and a crowd of adoring fans. An audience of over 150 including Dundee’s Lord Provost, John Letford and Kate McLean MSP will see the DVD premier.

The DVD is part of the multi award winning Violence is Preventable (VIP) programme – a personal safety and abuse prevention programme for children from 3-13 years, teenagers and vulnerable adults. The programme has received national and international recognition for its innovative approach to violence prevention. All of the materials are readily adaptable and are designed to be pulled ‘off the shelf’ and used in schools with relevant groups.

An independent study carried out by professor Ian Barron at Dundee University found that 33% of children who attended the 6 week schools VIP programmes disclosed abuse or violence of some kind. These early disclosures are vital for future abuse prevention.

The DVD is divided into scenes depicting potentially unsafe situations. Some are suitable for nursery children, others for primary age children. There are versions on the DVD for hearing impaired children and visually impaired children.

The nursery version shows scenes which end in a blue fade. At this point, the Session Leader pauses the DVD for discussion, asking questions such as “What do you think the child should do?” “Do you think the child is safe?” “What do you think the child is feeling?” After a discussion with the children the second part of the scene goes back in time and shows the safest way of dealing with each situation.

The Primary age version shows a variety of situations which stimulate discussion around a wide range of issues and situations that children might encounter. The DVD is paused after each scene to allow for a guided discussion about what is happening in the scene.

Local children feature in all of the scenes which were filmed in and around the City Centre and Kirkton areas of Dundee.

Laurie Matthew, coordinator of Eighteen and Under said, ‘Everyone who appeared in the DVD, or formed part of the crew, has done a great job and it’s a quality production. We know it works well with young people, because they’ve told us so. They really enjoy watching the video and taking part in the guided discussions that are the most important part of the process. Our aim now is to roll both the DVD and the whole VIP programme out right across the UK so that millions of young people can learn how to avoid, or to competently handle, any potentially unsafe situations.’

Eighteen And Under is indebted to producer Stephen Johnston, to Barclays Stockbrokers Charitable Trust who supported the production of the DVD and to the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust who supported the duplication of the DVD.

Notes for Editors

Eighteen And Under is a registered charity (no SCO 26688) which offers free and confidential information and support to young people aged 18 and under who have experienced any kind of abuse. This can range from bullying to domestic violence and sexual abuse. Through the VIP programme, they also run personal and abuse prevention sessions for young people of all ages, senior citizens and other vulnerable adults.

Eighteen And Under is a participant in the World Health Organisation’s Global Violence Prevention Alliance.

Photographs
The children will be arriving at the DCA between 4.20 and 4.50pm. The DVD will be shown between 5pm and 5.45. There will be a short medal ceremony