Real Knives, Real Lives | Youth of Walsall

Real Knives, Real Lives is our campaign for 2018/2019.

Our goal is to educate young people at risk of committing knife crime about the potential impact of their actions, not only on the victims and perpetrators, but also on their families and relevant organisations that are involved in the aftermath of a knife incident. We will also work with young people to challenge stereotypes and toxic masculinity.

Recently in Walsall, knife crime has been brought into the spotlight due to several incidents taking place within the last few years. There has also been a significant increase in knife crime and youth violence across the country. We hope that by educating the local youth about the detrimental effects of knife crime, there will be a reduction in knife crime in Walsall and it will help to build a more cohesive, unified community with reduced youth violence.

Our campaign is split into three parts:

1

Running four workshops with young people referred from the Youth Justice Service, facilitated by a youth violence practitioner and supported by youth workers and YOW members.

2

Working with Fixers to create a short film to raise awareness about knife crime.

3

Organising an arts competition for young people to get involved in.

This project has been funded by the Active Citizens Fund, under the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Follow our campaign using the hashtag #RealKnivesRealLives.

Real Knives, Real Lives - Campaign Film

We have been working in partnership with Fixers UK to create our Real Knives, Real Lives film. The short drama shows the devastation and loss experienced by a parent after their child’s decision to carry a knife.

On 11th December 2018, the film was premiered at the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's Youth Summit. The film was released to the public on 12th December 2018.

You can watch the video by clicking the button below.

Watch "Real Knives, Real Lives"

Campaign Coverage

Since the release of our film, we have been featured in Express and Star, Walsall Chronicle, Birmingham Live and Walsall Police. Our Chair, Zara Khan, has also written a blog post for the British Youth Council website. The campaign was also mentioned in Parliament in December by

Eddie Hughes MP (Walsall North).

Click below to expand on each photo and view the article.

Your Thoughts on Knife Crime

"Knife Crime is appaling in today’s society and I strongly believe that young people need to be educated and aware of the impact it can have on the victim and everyone around them."

"Sad that young people feel carrying a knife keeps them safe."

"It needs to be sorted quickly."

"As we all know, knife crime is on an unfortunate rise in, not only walsall but Great Britain as a whole. It is clear to say, nobody likes knife crime. Why the perpetrators perpetrate? For “protection” this is the ideology that needs to be crushed. With your campaign, this is the first step, to a better and safer Britain."

The Law

It is illegal to:

Carry a knife

Threaten someone with a knife or other weapon

Commit a crime with the use of a weapon

Help and Support

There are a range of help and support services available to young people and others:

Childline

A service for children and young people to talk to someone about their concerns, feelings and worries.

Victim Support

A national charity that provides free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime.

You & Co

Victim Support’s help for young people coping with the impact and effects of crime.

Fearless

Fearless provides non judgemental advice about crimes that affect you. It's the only site that allows you to give information 100% anonymously about crime.

#knifefree

#knifefree provides help, advice and signposting on how to become and live knife free.

Presentation at West Midlands PCC Youth Summit

On Tuesday 11th December, we delivered a presentation about our campaign at the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's Youth Summit. The presentation is now available to view below.

Click on each photo to expand.