New educational resource from North East campaigners aims to tackle the rise in Andrew Tate type attitudes

There's hope from North East campaigners, that a new programmed aimed at young people, can stop the rise in so called Andrew Tate attitudes

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 5th Nov 2024

Campaigners in the North East say they're hopeful a new educational programme will help tackle the rise in so called "Andrew Tate" style attitudes to women and girls.

The It All Adds Up resource programme has been developed by Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, working with Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.

It's available for any school, educator or youth group to download and use for free.

Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner says there are widespread concerns over young people being exposed to the social media content of online influencer Andrew Tate - in which he expresses extreme views about women.

She says her office has received many messages from educators seeking support with tackling this in the classroom to help with behaviours they are seeing that reflect misogynistic and sexist ideology.

The materials are an extension of the #ItAllAddsUp digital campaign that was launched last year featuring a series of videos shared across social media channels.

The films showcase the experiences of women and girls in the North East - bringing to life real, everyday interactions and misogynistic behaviours and the impact on women and girls.

The films feature women of different cultures, ages and sizes to highlight how sexual harassment happens to all women.

They’re experiencing harassment in different settings too, such as on the bus in a rural community, with a child in a park or when popping to the shops in broad daylight.

The PCC says research they've seen says 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space and most women blame themselves.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“Ultimately, we need young men and boys to be anti-Andrew Tate. We need them as allies. If we allow twisted viewpoints to seep into people’s minds, we are allowing them to potentially develop into abusive, violent behaviours. Young people are inundated with a lot of harmful content online and I want us to counter that by showing them how women are impacted every day with misogynistic attitudes.

“Along with so many parents, teachers and police, we want to take action that will help prevent youngsters growing up into future Andrew Tate types roaming the streets.

“I remember seeing Rape Crisis share the films online last year, before I was PCC, and they really made an impression on me so I am delighted we can put them to further use and get them in front of key audiences. The films have been praised for their truth and authenticity - with so many women telling us how they relate to them and also men saying they see this stuff going on and it makes them think.

“Now we want to encourage these types of discussions in the classroom or at the youth club. The earlier we get in front of young people, involving them in the conversation, calling out behaviours and raising awareness of how they can impact women, the better. We want to help teachers who have felt left in the dark about how to tackle this sort of topic – here’s the answer. But it’s not just a job for our teachers, we all need to speak out and call out harmful attitudes and behaviours whether you’re a teacher, a friend, a colleague – it’s a problem for society and society as a whole needs to respond.”

Sue Pearce, CEO of Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, said:

“This resource goes live on the 4th of November for use in educational spaces for young people between the ages of 14-18 and is also for professionals that work with that age group. This means an awful lot to RCTN as it is raising awareness about sexual harassment.”

Jamie Allinson, Deputy CEO at Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, said:

“We really hope that the benefits of the resource will be that it can be used to educate and inform children and young people about sexual harassment and the impact that this has on women and girls. We’ve developed the resource following our previous campaign about sexual harassment. We’re really excited to share this to support in the educating of children and young people within the North East, and we’re really pleased to have worked closely with the Police Crime Commissioner during its development. You can find out more on our website."

You can find help and support from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland via their website.

Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland (RCTN) is a charity that provides services to women and girls who live, work or study in Tyneside and Northumberland.

"We are completely independent of the criminal justice system including the police. Our services are free and confidential.

"We are here for women and girls over 13 who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

"We are for all women including, but not limited to, women who identify as Lesbian, Bi, Trans and/or Questioning; Black and Minoritised women, Refugee women; and disabled women. Our definition of women-only includes Trans women and non-binary people who identify that women’s services are right for them."

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