Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Willow, and I'm going to be your teacher for today's lesson.

Today's lesson is called "Power and Consent," and it fits into the unit "Power in Relationships: How Can We Keep Safe?" During this lesson, we are going to be talking about sexual content and other sensitive content, too, so for this lesson, we require you to have an adult with you.

If you don't have an adult with you at the moment, please come back to this lesson when you do have one with you.

If at any point during this lesson you feel worried or uncomfortable, please stop the lesson and speak to a trusted adult.

Okay, let's make a start on today's lesson.

By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to explain how power imbalances affect consent, and you will be able to describe what grooming is.

Before we get started with today's lesson, we need to go over some ground rules.

These help to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable during today's lesson.

First of all, Laura says that we need to listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should always listen properly before we make any assumptions or before we decide how to respond.

When we disagree with someone else, it's important to challenge the statement and not the person themselves.

Next, Andeep says that we need to respect each other's privacy.

We can discuss examples, but we shouldn't use any names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves.

If you want to share a story or an experience, we can refer to someone as "my friend." This means that we're not going to give away any identifying information.

Next, Izzy says that we can choose our level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or to join in with discussion.

We should never put anyone on the spot.

And finally, Jacob says, "No judgment." We can explore any beliefs and misunderstandings that we have about a topic without fear of being judged by others.

We're now going to take a look at the keywords for today's lesson.

Our first keyword is "power imbalance." This is a situation where one person has more power or influence over another.

Next, we have "consent." This means that everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure.

It's freely given, can be withdrawn any time, and requires understanding.

Next, we have "manipulate." This means to influence someone's emotions to make them do something.

Next, we have "coerce." This means to force someone to do something against their will through threats, pressure, or intimidation.

And finally, we have "grooming." This is when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate them for harmful reasons, often leading to abuse or exploitation.

Today's lesson is split into two learning cycles.

Our first learning cycle is called "How can power affect giving consent?" And our second learning cycle is called "What is grooming and how does it happen?" Let's make a start on our first learning cycle: How can power affect giving consent? Power imbalances are normal in some of our relationships.

However, if someone uses their power in an unhealthy way, it can put people in dangerous or upsetting situations, particularly when it comes to giving consent.

There are different ways that power imbalance can affect a person's ability to consent.

For example, there might be a power imbalance in a place of work where one person is in a more senior position than another.

For example, a manager and the person that they're managing.

The person with more power may abuse this imbalance of power in order to manipulate others for their own gain.

Even if an imbalance of power does exist, whether it's at work, school, or home, everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

When looking at the following examples, it's important to remember that, as Police Officer Paula explains, "Consent is when everyone involved clearly agrees to sexual activity without pressure.

It's freely given, can be withdrawn at any time, and it requires understanding." Consent has to be asked for, and it can be withdrawn at any time, even if something has already started.

Jack says, "For example, if I agree to hold hands or begin kissing someone, I can change my mind and stop at any point.

That decision must always be respected." Let's do a check for understanding to see how you're doing.

I'd like you to decide if the statement is true or false.

"Consent must be given freely and willingly without pressure." What do you think? This is true or false? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is true.

It's true that consent must be given freely and willingly without pressure.

We're now going to talk about coercion.

If there is a power imbalance and one person holds more authority or influence over another, they may coerce the other person into giving consent by using force or threats.

If someone is coerced, they may feel that if they say no to the person who holds more power, there will be negative consequences for them.

When there's a power imbalance, someone can feel unable to say no.

If there is a power imbalance, people may feel that refusing isn't an option.

If someone behaves in a threatening way or threatens consequences like missing out on opportunities or losing their job, the other person may feel like they cannot say no.

Let's do another check for understanding to see how you're doing.

In what type of situation could someone be coerced? A, if someone holds equal power to another.

B, if someone has more authority than another.

C, if someone has more influence than another.

Or D, if someone feels there will be consequences for saying no.

In what type of situation could someone be coerced? What do you think? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that B, C, and D are correct.

If someone has more authority than another, if someone has more influence than another, and if someone feels that there will be consequences for saying no, these are all situations where someone could be coerced.

Well done if you got this right.

We're now going to talk about manipulation.

Power imbalances can be used to manipulate someone into giving consent.

This could be done through using bribes, emotional blackmail, pressuring them, or promising them something in return.

It could look a little bit like this: someone saying, "If you really liked me, you'd say yes." This is an example of manipulation.

We're now going to talk about dependence.

If someone is dependent on another person for housing, work, or anything else, this can also create a power imbalance between the two.

This can make a person feel like saying no threatens their access to their place of living or their work.

Additionally, if someone is vulnerable, they may feel that their safety is at risk if they refuse to do something.

We're now going to talk about ethics.

Sometimes someone might say yes to doing something, but it wouldn't be right for the other person to accept this as consent.

This happens when someone cannot make a clear, free choice, so, for example, if someone's been drinking, if they've taken drugs, if they feel pressured or scared in the situation.

In situations like these, the person is vulnerable.

It's wrong for anyone to take advantage of someone who's vulnerable, especially if they're in a position of power or trust and there's a power imbalance.

Power imbalances can affect an individual's ability to give or to refuse genuine consent, and no one should be put in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe and at risk of harm.

If you're concerned about a situation that involves an inability to give consent freely and without pressure, you can speak to a trusted adult at home or at school.

You can call 101 and speak to the police on their non-emergency number, and in an emergency, you can call 999.

You can use this if you feel like your immediate safety or the safety of someone else is in danger.

Let's do another check for understanding.

This time, I'd like you to complete this sentence.

"Power imbalances can affect an individual's ability to 'blank' or 'blank' consent." Which words are missing? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the missing words were "give" and "refuse." Our complete sentence should now look like this: "Power imbalances can affect an individual's ability to give or to refuse consent." Well done if you got this right.

We're now going to talk about sexual assault.

So, sexual assault is any sexual touching of another person without their consent.

For example, kissing someone, touching their breasts, genitals, or bottom, or making someone else touch them in a sexual way.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, a sentence of up to 10 years in prison can be given to someone who's committed sexual assault.

We're now going to talk about sexual violence, and sexual violence is any sexual activity or acts that are unwanted and happen without consent.

This includes acts such as rape and sexual assault.

If someone removes a condom during sex without consent, this is also considered to be rape under UK law.

This is because someone gave consent to having sex with a condom; if the condom is removed, they haven't given consent for this type of sex.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, rape is illegal, and it can result in a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Ms. Walsh explains that anyone who experiences sexual violence, assault, or rape should get support, for example, from a trusted adult by calling the non-emergency line on 101 to contact the police or 999 if there is immediate danger.

It's also important to keep asking for help until you are heard, so if you speak to a trusted adult and they don't listen or believe you straight away, it's really important that you get help from another trusted adult.

We can also get support if we're worried about someone that we know or if we're just not sure about something that's happened, but we'd like to talk about it.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Which statement about sexual behavior and consent is correct? A, all sexual behavior is safe as long as both people give consent.

B, some sexual behaviors can be harmful even when both people give consent.

Or C, sexual behavior is only unsafe when someone doesn't give consent.

Which of those statements about sexual behavior and consent is correct? What do you think? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the correct answer is B.

It's true that some sexual behaviors can be harmful even when both people give consent.

We're now moving on to our first practice task, and well done for your hard work so far.

For the first part of this task, with the person next to you, I'd like you to discuss how power can affect giving consent.

In your discussions, I'd like you to include the following words: "consent," "coercion," "manipulation," "dependence," and "ethics." Pause the video, and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

You might have said that consent must be given freely without any pressure or threats.

When there is a power imbalance, it can make it difficult for someone to give proper and genuine consent.

Someone with more power might coerce another person by making them feel that there will be negative consequences if they say no.

A person might try to manipulate someone into agreeing by offering them things, making promises that they won't keep, or by making them feel guilty.

If someone depends on another person for important things like housing, money, their job, or safety, they might feel like they have no choice but to agree, even when they don't want to.

Even if someone feels that a person is giving consent freely, if there's a significant power imbalance, it may not be ethical to accept that consent.

Well done if you discussed any of these ideas.

For the second part of this task, I'd like you to discuss the following questions with your partner.

What is sexual violence, and why is consent so important in preventing it? How can some sexual behaviors be harmful even when someone gives consent? And where can someone get support if they experience or are concerned about sexual violence? Pause the video, and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

You might have said that sexual violence includes rape and sexual assault.

Any unwanted sexual activity without consent is sexual violence.

Consent is crucial because everyone has the right to decide what happens to their body.

Some sexual behaviors, like strangulation, can be physically dangerous even if someone agrees to them and gives consent, but these behaviors are not typical parts of healthy relationships, and they can cause serious harm.

If someone experiences sexual violence or has concerns, they can speak to a trusted adult at home or at school.

They can call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency, and it's also really important to keep asking for help until they're heard.

Well done if your ideas were something like this.

We're now moving on to our second learning cycle: What is grooming, and how does it happen? Grooming is when an adult or older young person builds trust with a young person to manipulate them for harmful purposes, often leading to abuse or exploitation.

Police Officer Paula says that grooming can take place within organizations, such as schools or workplaces, online, or in public spaces.

Let's do another check for understanding.

I'd like you to decide if this statement is true or false.

"Grooming only happens online." What do you think? Is this true or false? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is false, but why? You might have said that grooming can happen within organizations, online, or in public spaces.

It doesn't only happen online.

Well done if you got this right.

Understanding how grooming happens and the signs of grooming can help to prevent it and allow intervention if someone is at risk.

Young people may be worried about speaking out about grooming because they may not even realize when they or someone else is being groomed.

They may be worried about getting into trouble or getting their groomer into trouble as well.

They may also be worried about repercussions, so consequences from the person that's grooming them if they speak out.

They may also feel embarrassed about what's happening.

Grooming begins by building trust with a victim, and Police Officer Paula says that people who groom others often hide their real intentions by offering gifts, compliments, advice, or attention to gain someone's trust.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Can you complete the sentence with the missing words? "'Blank involves building 'blank' with a victim, often through gifts and compliments." Where I've said the word "blank," can you decide which word is missing? Pause the video, talk to people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that the missing words were "grooming" and "trust." Our completed sentence should look like this: "Grooming involves building trust with a victim, often through gifts and compliments." Well done if you got this right.

Someone who's grooming another person will try to create a power imbalance.

Police officer Paula says that once a person who grooms others has built trust, they then try to establish a power imbalance.

They may do this by isolating the victim, turning them away from their friends or family, or making the victim feel like they need them or must rely on them.

Someone who's grooming another person uses their power to control the situation by offering things that the victim wants or needs, such as money, compliments, attention, gifts, or opportunities.

Police Officer Paula says that someone who's grooming another person may use bribes, flattery, or threats to manipulate a victim into sexual behavior, either online, such as sending inappropriate images or messages, or in person.

Someone who is grooming another person will often ask their victims to keep secrets.

Police Officer Paula tells us that by asking a victim to keep secrets, it allows the person who is grooming another to control or manipulate the victim.

It may involve blackmailing the victim into keeping their relationship a secret and making them feel like they will be in trouble or something bad would happen if they were to tell someone about what's happening.

Let's do another check for understanding.

How do people who groom others use power imbalances? Can you remember? A, they try to create equal power with their victim.

B, they avoid creating power imbalances to build trust.

Or C, they develop and rely on power imbalances to manipulate their victim.

What do you think? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that C is correct.

People who groom others develop and rely on power imbalances to manipulate their victim.

Well done if you got this right.

There are common signs that someone is being groomed, including someone becoming secretive; some changes in behavior that are uncharacteristic, like spending much more time online than is usual for them; receiving unexplained gifts or having more money than is usual; becoming isolated from friends or family; and using inappropriate sexualized language.

Police Officer Paula says that grooming is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

It is also illegal for somebody age 18 or over to send sexual messages to somebody under the age of 18 under the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Punishments can involve imprisonment and placement on the sex offenders register.

If you're concerned about grooming, either personally or regarding someone else that you know, there are places that you can go for support.

A trusted adult at home or in school can offer support, the police on the non-emergency number 101, the police on 999 if you or someone else's immediate safety is in danger.

The CEOP website can also be used for confidential advice.

Let's do another check for understanding.

Is this statement true or false? "Grooming is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003." What do you think? Is this true or false? Pause the video, talk to the people around you, or have a think to yourself.

Well done if you said that this is true.

It's true that grooming is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Well done if you remembered this.

We're now going to move on to our final practice task, and well done for your hard work in this lesson so far.

I'd like you to answer the following questions.

Number one, what is grooming, and how does it happen? Number two, what is the law regarding grooming? And finally, number three, who or where can someone go to access support if they are concerned about grooming? Pause the video, and we'll go through what you might have said in a few minutes.

Okay, let's see what you might have said.

For question number one, what is grooming, and how does it happen? You might have said that grooming is when an adult builds trust with a young person to manipulate them for harmful purposes.

It begins with the adult building trust with the victim, then using that trust to build more power, and then using that power imbalance to manipulate the victim.

The adult will often ask the victim to keep secrets and isolate the victim from their friends or family.

For question two, what is the law regarding grooming? You might have said that grooming is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and it can lead to up to ten years' imprisonment.

It's also illegal for adults to send sexual messages to under-18s, according to the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Being found guilty of this can lead to up to two years' imprisonment.

And finally, for question three, who or where can someone go to access support if they are concerned about grooming? You might have said that if someone is concerned about grooming, there are places to go to for support, including a trusted adult at home or in school, the police via 101 in a non-emergency, or via 999 if in immediate danger.

Or you can contact the CEOP website for confidential advice.

Well done if your ideas were anything like this or if you had something similar.

We're now going to summarize the key learning from today's lesson.

In today's lesson, we've learned that power imbalances can occur in different relationships, and they can be used to pressure someone into giving their consent.

Consent must only be given freely and without pressure.

It's not true consent or valid consent if someone is manipulated, coerced, or made to feel like they have to give consent in order to avoid repercussions and negative consequences.

Grooming involves building trust with intentions to manipulate or abuse.

Victims of grooming may keep secrets, show changes in behavior, or isolate themselves from friends and family.

Recognizing these signs can prevent grooming and help people to intervene.

It's also important to remember that sometimes the signs that someone's being groomed are difficult to spot, so these are only some of the signs that someone is being groomed.

If we do have any concerns about someone else, it's important to seek support.

If you do need support, you can speak to a trusted adult, the police on either 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency.

Or you can get support through sites like CEOP.

During today's lesson, you might have found that you've got some worries or questions, and if you do, it's really important that you share these with a trusted adult.

There's also some resources on the screen that are there to help you.

Well done for your hard work today.

I hope to see you again soon.