'Voices Against Violence' video available for educators
Student-created project filmed at high schools, drop-in centre
Friday, October 8, 2004 - Roderick Benns
Six students from the Peterborough area have produced an anti-violence video they hope will make a difference in the lives of youth in their schools and in their communities.

The recent launch of the video, called Voices Against Violence, was held at the Get REAL Youth Drop-In Centre in the Knox United Church.

"They felt they wanted to make a difference in their schools," says Joanne Culley, consultant and production co-ordinator for the project. "They wanted to use the words of their fellow students."

While those words sometimes involved "rough language," according to Joanne, the video is designed for high school students.

At 11 minutes long, the video was culled from an hour-and-a-half of footage and pared down, partly due to production costs. It was produced by the Peaceful Communities Youth Working Group, a sub-group of the Peterborough Youth Council.

The students prepared a list of questions and set out to do research among their peers, younger students, teachers and community leaders. The video was shot at Holy Cross Secondary School, St. Peter’s Secondary School, a youth drop-in centre and the YWCA.

Equipment and training was provided by the Peterborough Arts Umbrella, with funding provided through a grant from Bell United Wave. Joanne, also a local writer and video producer, helped the group navigate the process.

The students sought out other youths who are making a difference in their schools to ask them about their solutions to violence, such as peer mediation. These students speak about how they counsel students in lower grades about bullying and how it is not acceptable for fights among students to be entertainment for others.

"The idea that we can reduce violence by handling situations differently and to not choose violence as a solution is the underlying message of the video," according to a press release provided by the youth working group.

Joanne says both local school boards each have a number of copies but she would love to distribute the video to other areas in the province or even outside of the province if anyone is interested. An added feature for educators is that the video comes with a guide containing background information and discussion questions.

If anyone is interested in purchasing the video, it can be obtained for $7. Outside of the area, some small mailing costs may also apply. Call 705-748-5353.

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