Download - GW Theatre Company

GW Theatre Company
Draft Pre-performance Lesson Outline
For
‘SOMEBODY’S SISTER – SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER’
By Mike Harris
Please Note
This project deals directly with the sensitive subject of child sexual exploitation, in
particular ‘street grooming’. It is possible that a member of the student body in the
class may have had direct experience of these issues so this lesson must be handled
with sensitivity and care – hypothetically and objectively.
Before you deliver the lesson please ensure you are fully aware of your schools
safeguarding procedures and that your students are also fully aware of who you/the
child should report to/be reported to should advice and guidance be needed.
A specialist sexual exploitation worker will be present at the performance itself to
support staff and pupils in any appropriate way.
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GW Theatre Company: ‘Somebody’s Sister - Somebody’ s Daughter’
Draft Pre-Performance Lesson Outline.
Lesson Materials: Paper, pens, flip chart / board, pre-performance pupil survey,
synopsis of play.
(1) Introduce topic of child sexual exploitation [CSE] – which has been much in the
news lately, and is the topic of a play we are going to see.
(2) Ask pupils to complete the pre-performance pupil survey which GW Theatre is
using to help measure the impact of the play. It is crucial to complete it first at this stage.
This should be a solo activity conducted in silence.
(3) Literacy and deep thinking activity to explore what ‘exploitation’ means in a
number of different scenarios: financial; personal; political and – lastly – sexual.
Full Class/group activity, adaptable to small group work.
Definition - From the verb ‘to exploit’
1. To employ to the greatest possible advantage
2. To make use of selfishly or unethically
3. To advertise; promote.
Introduce the notion of ‘exploitation’ being about ‘power’ versus someone in a stage of
[temporary or longer] ‘vulnerability’.
Facilitate a discussion in which the class/group creates a continuum line for each of the
scenarios. The letters on the line help to define different stages/definitions of exploitation:
A = Power and influence and status being used well and wisely [This is a very important
point to establish as children should not be made to feel that everyone in authority/seniority
is out to exploit them in a bad way].
B = Signs that the power is being ‘mis-used’ and the ‘state of vulnerability is being tested.
C = Signs and signals that exploitation is occurring because of an abuse of power.
A
B
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C
(4) Discussion and debate activity on influences, causes, responsibility and blame.
Split class into groups of 4, each with an elected spokesperson.
Pass out Additional Sheet 1 showing evidence of different kinds of child sexual
exploitation.
Groups use the sheet as a catalyst for a discussion/debate, in which they must address
the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are the causes of sexual exploitation?
Who is vulnerable to sexual exploitation?
When and where are young people vulnerable to sexual exploitation?
Who is responsible for sexual exploitation?
Lastly – they must come up with a group moral answer to the question: who is to ‘blame’
for sexual exploitation? This is a very complex issue and you may need to reassure them
that they may not find a straightforward answer to it. It is not a test.
Elected spokespeople should then feedback with a plenary to finish.
In your summary at the end you must be clear that, whilst certain situations, circumstances
and behaviours can contribute to and leave young people very vulnerable and at risk, this
does not ever mean they can be blamed for being sexually exploited. The majority of young
people will never experience serious sexual exploitation, but there are risks and they need
to be as aware these as they can be in order to think independently and be as safe as
possible.
(5) Introduce the play to pupils. Additional Sheet 2.
Share synopsis with the students and explain that many of the issues they have been
considering and discussing in this sessions are explored in the play in more detail.
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GW Theatre Company – SSSD Pre-Lesson Outline
Additional Sheet 1:
Different Forms of Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the UK.
Hidden from view and going unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are groomed and
then abused, leaving them traumatised and scarred for life.
What is Child Sexual Exploitation [CSE]?
Child sexual exploitation is illegal activity by people who have power over young people and
use it to sexually abuse them. This can involve a broad range of exploitative activity, from
seemingly ‘consensual’ relationships and informal exchanges of sex for attention,
accommodation, gifts or cigarettes, through to very serious organised crime.
Some of these definitions are taken from the Barnardo’s website www.barnardos.org.uk/
Examples of CSE:

‘Street grooming’, where men, young and older, prey on girls and young women and
also boys and young men, to sexually exploit them.

Gang led sexual abuse and exploitation of girls and young women.

Internet and social network grooming by young and older men leading to sexual
exploitation, abuse and violence.

Sexual exploitation by a family member or another child/young person.

Human trafficking or the trade of human beings, especially children and women, for
forced sexual exploitation and prostitution.

‘The boyfriend’ model – giving of gifts and money tied in with apparent love and affection
which leads to exploitation.

Sexual exploitation of boys and young men.
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GW Theatre Company – SSSD Pre-Lesson Outline
Additional Sheet 2:
Synopsis of the play
‘Somebody’s Sister – Somebody’s Daughter’ by Mike Harris.
Synopsis
‘Somebody’s Sister, Somebody’s Daughter’ is a powerful drama about sexual exploitation
and street grooming, aimed at 14-25 year olds (year 10 and upwards). It goes behind the
front page headlines to the human stories of three young people: Chloe, a 15 year old girl
from an ordinary family, who is caught up in the web of a grooming gang. Sara, who is
Chloe’s half-Asian best friend who saves her, and Javid, the young man who risks
everything to help Sara get Chloe out of the grip of his ‘Uncle’ Adeem and his ‘business
partner’ Phil.
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