SECONDARY schools in Wales are being urged to make use of a new package of digital resources to help tackle domestic violence by supporting teachers and professionals working with children and young people explore healthy and unhealthy friendships and relationships.
It’s Not Love is a series of powerful, age-appropriate character-driven films, as well as comprehensive lesson activities and support for teachers to help drive discussion in classes and assist young people in recognising the signs that something might not be right.
Developed with York St John University’s Performance department and the NSPCC, It’s Not Love aims to prevent harmful sexual behaviours and coercive control that could lead to domestic violence and abuse.
Performances of a stage version of It’s Not Love took place in 2023 and 2024, reaching an audience of more than 45,000 pupils, practitioners and teachers nationally.
In partnership with Cwm Taf Morganwg Safeguarding Board the play will be staged at schools in the Bridgend, Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf area from March 17th to 28th next year.
The specially commissioned short films to be shared in classrooms across the country have now been made available through NSPCC Learning.
NSPCC Cymru Local Campaigns Manager, Lili Dunn said: “It’s Not Love explores the themes of healthy and unhealthy relationships, including behaviours relating to interpersonal relationship abuse including peer on peer and familial abuse
“The package includes three films and accompanying lesson plans that follow four characters experiencing domestic violence in familial, friendship, and intimate partner relationships, and clear curriculum links for the resources are provided.
“The resources enable young people aged 11-14 to explore the impact of the decisions that the characters make and investigate potential allies and intervention moments, while also looking at questions around what constitutes a healthy or unhealthy relationship.
“The aim is to prevent harmful sexual behaviours and coercive control that may lead to adult domestic violence and abuse in intimate partner relationships. We have found that young people respond well to the live performances and recognise characters and situations they might encounter in real life.
“By making that message relevant to young people across the country and easily accessible through these digital resources, we hope to help thousands of young people understand when something might not be right in a relationship and how they can help themselves or others”
“November 11th – 15th marks Wales National Safeguarding Week so it’s an ideal time to urge secondary schools in the Bridgend, Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf areas to sign up now to book a stage production of this fantastic play at their school next March.”
For more information on how to book It’s Not Love please contact our campaigns team at this address [email protected]
You can find out more about It’s Not Love resource go to on NSPCC Learning by clicking here
