drugs and
substance abuse
relationships and
domestic violence
knife crime
teenage pregnancy
and sexual health
consequences of
offending
skills for independent living
restorative
justice
bullying and emotional literacy
primary to
secondary
transition
alcohol misuse
exploring diversity and community cohesion
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THE MORNING AFTER
Sex, Sexual Health and Alcohol, Gender Stereotyping and Digital and Online Safety
The Morning After was intitially launched and commissioned by the Buckinghamshire County Youth Service. In the summer of 2013, the London Borough of Merton commissioned ADAD to update the programme and enhance its relevance for current audiences.
Target audience
The Morning After is suitable for young people in Mainstream Education and Pupil Referral Units aged from Year 8 upwards. The programme would also be suitable for Conference and Training events.
Objectives
- To challenge attitudes and develop skills and knowledge around sexual health and substance misuse.
- To explore the potential consequences of altered sexual behaviour whilst under the influence of drugs - to include consideration of unsafe sex, STI's, unplanned pregnancies, regretted sex, coerced or forced sex.
- To explore and challenge young people's attitudes towards drugs (specifically alcohol and cannabis), giving consideration to the potential physical, legal and social consequences of substance misuse.
- To positively impact on the attitudes and behaviour of young people and give them the confidence and life skills to implement personal choices.
- To explore prevalent attitudes towards sex and sexuality and what drives and influences these - paying particular attention to highly sexualised imagery and material both on-line and within the wider media context.
- To address issues around on-line and digital safety in the context of the growing acceptability or expectation for young people to share increasingly personal and intimate details through social media and mobile phones.
-To consider sex as a mutual, consensual and enjoyable act shared in a close relationship and to challenge and explore situations where it can become exploitative, coerced or abusive.
-To clarify options for safer sex and contraception.
- To signpost young people to appropriate resources for further suppport, information and advice.
The play
Sophie and Robbie have liked each other for a long time, but both are too shy to do anything about it. At their friend Scott's party, Sophie arrives with her best friend Emma (who has a 'crush' on Scott), the two have been drinking heavily. The four friends continue to drink and smoke cannabis. Emma becomes ill and Robbie agrees to take her home. The following day, Scott brags to Robbie that he and Sophie slept together that night. He has taken a picture of Sophie asleep and naked in his bed which he shows to Robbie. In a rage, Robbie takes the phone from Scott and goes looking for Sophie. Robbie confronts Sophie in front of Emma who is devastated to hear that her best friend has slept with Scott. In a fit of vengeance, Robbie uploads the naked photo of Sophie on to Facebook and he and Emma abandon Sophie. With no friends to turn to, Sophie is left scared and alone, to face the potential consequences of her first sexual encounter.
The workshop
The workshop addresses each of the themes in the play. What might be the consequences for Sophie and Scott be if they didn't use any contraception or protection? (pregnancy and/or a sexually transmitted infection).
The consequences of Sophie's potential pregnancy are addressed. How might she be feeling? What can she do next? Who can she talk to? Likewise, what might the consequences be for Scott? What responsibilities does he have?
A discussion is led about STI's. What are they? How are they contracted? Can they be prevented and how? What can you do if you think you may have put yourself at risk during sex?
The question of how alcohol and cannabis effected the characters behaviour is addressed. Did the alcohol and cannabis 'cloud' people's judgement? How do alcohol and cannabis effect us and what other risks are associated with using them?
Throughout the workshop myths are dispelled and a number of additional themes are addressed such as digital and online safety, consensual sex and gender stereotyping.
At each session, agencies for further help and support are signposted (both locally and nationally).
Results of an evaluation from schools that received 'The Morning After' in July 2013:
92% of teachers believed that 'The Morning After' will help young people to feel less pressured into embarking on sexual relationships before they feel 'ready' to do so.
92% of teachers believed that 'The Morning After' will encourage young people to reach more informed choices about their use of alcohol and cannabis.
96% of teachers believed 'The Morning After' has helped young people to identify who they can approach for advice, support and information regarding both sexual health and substance misuse.
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