Knife Aware
Life Skills Primary
Facts and information about knives and knife crime enable young people to make positive choices about risky behaviour, increase knowledge and awareness of the law around knives and facts around knife crime.
Knife crime is in the news almost daily with the incidents being reported regularly; governments statistics evidence the increase in weapons being carried and used. There is evidence that knives are carried for protection as well as a symbol of status. Legislation is in place regarding the sales of and carrying of knives. Penalties for knife related offences are severe with the presence of a knife considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. The government has made available funding for a variety of schemes to address this issue including in education, prevention, and in youth justice.
Knives and Young People
Young people have both been the victims and the perpetrators in knife crime incidents that have occurred; seeing and hearing about knife crime in the news reports can be worrying and frightening for some young people and they will need reassurance. Recently there has been an upsurge in young females who are carrying knives, often as females are seen by some to be less likely than males to be searched and caught with a weapon. Feeling the need for protection, to be a part of a gang, to ‘feel big’ or ‘earn respect’ can be enough to make a young person choose to carry a knife. By doing so they increase their risk of becoming a victim – often hurt by their own weapon. Even being with someone who is carrying a knife can be enough to get hurt or be in trouble with the police. Some schools are equipped with security x-ray arches which aim to detect any weapons being taken into schools and all schools have the power to search students if they believe a knife is being carried.
Legislation is in place regarding the sales of and carrying of knives. Penalties for knife related offences are severe.
How can Life Skills courses help?
Here at Life Skills Education our knife aware education module forms part of our overall programme which addresses a number of risky behaviours, including drug and alcohol abuse and issues around respect and prejudice. We do not scare young people – they are given facts and information about knives and knife crime which will enable them to make positive choices about their own risky behaviour, increase their knowledge and awareness of the law around knives and the facts around knife crime. Local information can be used in order to reassure students about the level of risk in their own community. Resources are designed to give students the opportunity to explore the risks and consequences of their behaviour, together with teaching them how to make safe and healthy choices using our unique SKILL DECISION MAKING MODEL. We encourage young people to respect themselves and respect others choices in relation to risky behaviour and to understand that it is OK to choose not to follow others when they are making poor decisions and to instead utilise one of our resistance strategies to keep themselves and others safe and healthy.
Which course do I need?
KS 2 – Life Skills Primary
Other Resources
NI Direct
It’s important to know all about the laws that control who can carry and buy a knife
Young Scot
No Knives Better Lives help give you the facts about the consequences of knife crime.
Knife Free
It’s never too late to make a positive change in your life. There is always a way out. Find yours.