A play about the dangers of child sexual exploitation has been performed at nine secondary schools across the St Albans District.
‘Chelsea’s Choice’, is about a group of three students who discover the diary of a girl called Chelsea.
Written by playwright Sean McGrath, it explores child sexual exploitation themes by telling the story of Chelsea who is targeted by an older man.
The play shows how young people, boys and girls, are sexually exploited, and was staged by Alter Ego Creative Solutions, a social enterprise dedicated to using theatre to inform and entertain.
Over 1,500 year nine and ten pupils, from 13 to 15, have seen the play so far in the St Albans District. And over 410,000 young people throughout the UK.
The initiative, funded by the St Albans Community Safety Partnership, is aiming to raise awareness of the issue.
After each performance, pupils were encouraged to ask questions or raise any points about the issues that were highlighted.
The schools involved were Sir John Lawes, St George’s and Roundwood Park, Harpenden, Loreto College, Townsend, Nicholas Breakspear, Sandringham, Beaumont and Links Education Support Centre, St Albans.
Neil Kieran, Principal Community Protection Officer of St Albans City and District Council, said: "This is a very powerful drama.
"We hope the young audience gained a better understanding of the devastating impact that sexual exploitation has on a young person's life.
"This is an innovative way of raising awareness of these serious issues and reaching young people. It is intended to give them some of the skills and knowledge needed to protect them from abuse."
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