A new resource for young people aims to get them talking about knife crime, as a prevention initiative marks 10 years
A new comic book has been launched which aims to get children talking about knife crime.
The Nae Danger booklet has been created after young people revealed they fear being known as “a grass” if they reported concerns about a peer possessing a weapon.
The comic book was unveiled at the No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) National Youth Conference in Glasgow this morning (25 September).
The comic is described as a guide to understanding how to safely intervene when someone you know is carrying a knife and uses slang to promote its message. Nae Danger encourages young people to be empowered to take action using the 5Ds: Direct, Distract, Delegate, Document and Delay.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP, said: “Our approach to knife crime, focusing on prevention, is recognised across the UK and internationally and in the last ten years we have seen knife carrying across Scotland fall dramatically. In that time we have invested over £4 million in No Knives Better Lives (NKBL).
“The Nae Danger resource is an excellent example of how young people can safely look after each other by changing behaviours within their own communities.
“There is still much to do and we will continue to work with NKBL and other partners to ensure the safety of our communities.”
The booklet lays out different situations that young people may experience. In one section titled About the Bevvy the advice is to leave the party, take your pals with you if an argument kicks off fuelled by drink.
Nae Danger was developed with young people and Steven Ingram, a graphic cartoonist, drew the characters suggested by the youngsters involved. The resource is aimed at 11 to 15-year-olds and can also be used as a training tool for peer educators, volunteers, youth workers and other face-to-face workers in communities.
No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) is a national programme designed to deter young people from using and carrying a knife. The youth work focused initiative, supported by the Scottish Government and delivered by YouthLink Scotland, was launched 10 years ago.
Tim Frew, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: “In the last decade, the level of knife crime in Scotland has drastically reduced, but one incident is still one too many. Work with young people is key to continuing to prevent knife crime. Nae Danger has given us an exciting new way to talk to all young people about their role in preventing knife carrying through peer support. The feedback from young people in developing this resource has been invaluable in capturing how they deal with friendships and take responsibility for their actions.”
