Every year, more than 100,000 children and young people experience online sexual abuse, and these figures are only the tip of the iceberg. Many young people struggle with guilt or shame and do not dare to say anything. Carlo Contino, deputy director and head of policy at Fonds Slachtofferhulp: “Young people who experience, for example, sexting abuse, sextortion or exposure become stuck at school, at home or in their social lives. With this educational package, we provide schools with concrete tools, real-life stories and insights to actively and structurally address this subject in a way that connects with young people’s experiences.”
Learning objectives
The platform WTFFF!? centres on the personal stories of five young people who experienced online sexual abuse. One of these stories forms the basis of the lesson. The lesson is structured around three learning objectives: 1. informing (about what online sexual abuse entails, what the consequences may be and where they can turn for help or to share their story (anonymously)), 2. encouraging action (to talk about an experience of online sexual abuse with a trusted person in their own environment, with someone at school or (anonymously) with a support worker), 3. reducing stigma (raising awareness of shame, guilt and victim blaming). The lesson also offers tools and practical guidance for teachers and parents so that they can respond and act appropriately when confronted with online sexual abuse involving a child or student.
About the lesson
In the first quarter of 2023, a successful pilot was conducted at several secondary schools, with students actively providing feedback on the lesson. The educational package is a current programme and has been positively received by students, teachers, parents and school boards. The lesson was developed so that teachers can deliver it themselves without prior knowledge of the subject. In preparation, they receive training from Fonds Slachtofferhulp. This interactive lesson is suitable for secondary education from the second year onwards and is now available through the online learning environment LessonUp.
During the pilot phase, Haags Montessori Lyceum was already using the lesson. “We want this subject to return regularly in the classroom. We want to address it actively and prevent online sexual abuse as much as possible.” Says Conny van der Zande, Rector of Haags Montessori Lyceum.