Perthshire teens unite to launch new consent campaign to tackle peer sexual abuse

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A group of teenage girls in Perthshire have launched a new consent campaign which aims to tackle peer sexual abuse.Created by nine young women aged 16 to 19 from Bertha Park High School, Crieff High School and Perth College, ‘Bold Girls Ken’ aims to educate young people about consent in relationships – both on and offline.The campaign was launched at Perth Art Gallery on Wednesday and saw the introduction of a ‘consent toolkit’ for schools, parents, carers and people within the community.The team also spoke about other work they have done so far, as well as their future plans.The campaign hopes to ensure young people get “realistic and appropriate” information about the issue and know where to go for help and support if they need it.Bold Girls Ken Campaign looks at what is involved in giving consent and when consent is not possible, for example, someone cannot consent to sex if they are under the age of 16 or asleep or unconscious.The effect of alcohol, drugs or other substances can also make someone incapable of consenting.The campaign is being delivered in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council as part of the Young Women Know project being run by NSPCC Scotland and The Young Women’s Movement.Aimee Wallace, who attends Perth College, said: “All young people should understand what consent is and know where to go for support if it is needed.“The project, for me, has been an empowering experience that has allowed me to be involved in a crucial step forward in improving the lives of young women.“I hope the Bold Girls Ken campaign will increase and improve the conversations about consent because every young woman deserves to feel safe and comfortable on and offline.”Carla Malseed, local campaigns manager for NSPCC