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Students and police cadets created their one-minute clips as part of the Safer Streets Schools Media Challenge.
Safer Streets is a Home Office grant fund which in 2020/21 supported local authorities and police forces to tackle neighbourhood crime. Last year, North Somerset Council and Somerset County Council made a successful bid to the fund and were awarded £324,449.
As part of this work, the two councils worked with education provider Collaborate Digital to run workshops for young people. The sessions explored the topic of violence against women and girls and gave the students an opportunity to share their own experiences.
Those taking part were asked to create a short podcast or video to tell other young people about the harassment and assault that many girls and young women are subjected to on a daily basis.
28 schools, colleges and non-educational settings across North Somerset and Somerset held workshops and assemblies with over 7,000 young people taking part, and a selection of the recordings is now online.
A public vote opened today (Wednesday 8 June) for people to decide which they like best. The vote closes in one week on Wednesday 15 June.
Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Services, said: “Thank you and well done to all the young people who have worked so hard. You’ve produced some incredibly powerful videos and podcasts, and you’re helping share the important messages around violence against women and girls with more people.
“I’d encourage everyone to go online to watch and listen to as many of clips as possible and then vote for their favourite.”
Cllr Adam Dance, Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity said: “When it comes to reducing crime, there are lots of little things can make a very big difference to the safety of communities and these short films will definitely play their part. A big thank you and congratulations go to all the young film-makers. Please do make sure you go and watch them and vote for your favourite.
"I am pleased that the Safer Streets initiative is helping to raise awareness and will help us deliver permanent and practical resources that will deter and manage crime now and in years to come.”
To watch and listen to the videos and podcasts, go to www.collaboratedigital.com/vote where you can vote for your favourite. Voting closes on Wednesday 15 June.