NSPCC report 'Is this sexual abuse?' (2018) concluded that parents and professionals sometimes have difficulty responding to children who display harmful sexual behaviour and/or children who have experienced peer sexual abuse. The report also highlighted that young people reported feeling confused about whether or not they have experienced peer sexual abuse.  A wide range of settings where peer sexual abuse can occur were also identified in the report.

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The ‘Oor Fierce Girls’ project evolved from this report as part of a partnership between NSPCC Scotland, YWCA Scotland – the Young Women’s Movement, and Dundee City Council. Working together with self-identifying young women to develop resources to address peer sexual abuse, raise awareness of what healthy relationships look and feel like, and how young people can access advice or support if required.

The young woman's advisory group was made up of representatives from local schools, college and university. Oor Fierce Girls was supported by a partners advisory group with representatives from NHS, Girl Guiding, Women's Aid and WRASAC.

Three conversation starter toolkits were created by the group to support and encourage discussions with professionals, parents and carers, and young people.

Conversation Starter Toolkits and additional information available on the YWCA Scotland – the Young Women’s Movement website.

A young person said of her experience:

“I’ve loved my experience in taking part in the Oor Fierce Girls campaign. It’s given me the opportunity to meet some great people and take part in leading the campaign. I strongly believe that our learning packs will help make a positive difference for people, it will help educate people and we can learn from each other. The main factor with approaching unhealthy relationships is the stigma that surrounds it. Many behaviours that we may see as normal in a relationship, may actually be toxic for us. As they are often not talked about, we don’t realise the affect that other people’s behaviour can have on us. However, if someone’s friend, parent, teacher or a youth worker notices that the person they care about is in a relationship or friendship that seems to be bringing them down, the packs we have created can help them to approach the often avoided topic by a simple conversation!”

Read blog posts written by some of the participants in Oor Fierce Girls.

Improvement questions

• How could you use these toolkits within your setting?
• How can you support young people to talk about peer sexual abuse and access support if they need it?