We empower young women to make healthy decisions and respect themselves
Violence against Women & Girls is a national emergency, say police chiefs.
The Mix youth work charity in Stowmarket has been delivering a dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) programme since 2023. This past school year alone (Sept 2023 to July 2024), we’ve supported 70 young women, giving them a safe space to learn, share their experiences and heal.
Funded by Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Community Foundation, our three-year VAWG initiative stems from the updated 2022 Suffolk VAWG Strategy, underscoring the urgency of this issue.
The statistics are staggering; around 3,000 crimes against women and girls are recorded each day, and at least 1 in 12 women (nearly 2 million) become victims each year. With many abuses unreported, the true numbers are undoubtedly much higher. [Statistics from End Violence Against Women]
Even before 2023, small group sessions we trialled were overwhelmed by demand, revealing just how much support is needed. With the generous funding we received, we can now reach even more young people - both girls and boys.
Our VAWG Coordinator, Alyx, and the youth work team have worked tirelessly to exceed our goals, launching new groups and connecting with those most in need.
We are committed to turning the tide and creating a future where every young person feels safe and valued.
The Mix’s VAWG programme
The VAWG programme offers small groups of 6-10 young women a two-hour session each week for six weeks. These sessions, called Diadem — meaning "to wear your own crown" — empower young women to build self-esteem and resilience. We also provide specific sessions for young people who are neurodivergent and those who identify as gender neutral.
1. Week 1 – Introduction: Icebreakers to build trust and an overview of the programme.
2. Week 2 – Self-Esteem and Confidence: Using a heart cutout to explore the impact of hurtful words and how to heal from them.
3. Week 3 – Friendships and Support Networks: Activities to identify the qualities of a good friend and letting go of negative comments using dissolvable paper.
4. Week 4 – Body Image and social media: Discussing the differences between edited and non-edited photos and the dangers of sexting, which is illegal for those under 18.
5. Week 5 – Healthy Relationships: Understanding VAWG-related terminology, discussing consent, and recognising the need for positive changes in relationships.
6. Week 6 – Goals and Aspirations: Creating a "yellow brick road" path to future dreams, celebrating compliments, and ending with a fun activity.
We have conducted these sessions at The Mix, in four local secondary schools, as part of the Year 6 "Crucial Crew" personal health and safety event, and in one primary school to engage younger children. 1-2-1 mentoring is available alongside the sessions for those needing additional support.
This programme aligns with our county's Strategy on Violence Against Women and Girls by supporting young people of all genders. Over the summer the programme has be refined to reach even more participants in the coming school year.
Case studies
Case study from one school group:
• All girls complimented the course.
• One young person said that she "wished we could do Diadem every week".
• One young person entered a 3 on the well-being scale on check in and left a 10 on check out, which is a HUGE positive!
• One had fantastic self-awareness in our Friendships session. She called the other girls out when they were having conversations that were slightly out of line and brought up very good topics.
Case study from another school group:
• In our last session a few of the girls bought snacks to share with the group!
• Alyx kept a great relationship with the girls from Yr 8 Diadem - they continued to come and see her after the sessions ended and even made up a dance to Joey Essex's "REEM" to show her!
Fundamentally, we empower young women (and boys) to make healthy decisions and respect themselves.
For more information on how you sign up to a Diadem course through our Violence Against Women and Girls programme, contact the VAWG Coordinator Alyx@themixstowmarket.co.uk. Mostly for ages 11-16.
