What we do
It was founded by former TV journalist and news presenter Sharon Doughty, who suffered domestic violence and sexual abuse as a child and wanted to change the way important safety information is delivered to children.
Our research has shown that the best way to reach as many children as possible is in the classroom, with the teacher delivering safety lessons supported by outside agencies such as the police, fire service and sports coaches.
Kids Taskforce learning programmes have been created following extensive UK-wide research with young people and experts and they are regularly revised and updated. They have been evaluated a number of times by the Home Office, Office of Fair Trading, Cabinet Office and leading academics.
A 2009 study by Suzanne Zeedyk at Dundee University found our programmes promoted empathy and self-reflection, which have recognised links to a reduction in violent behaviour.
“The findings from this initial study strongly suggest that the missdorothy.com and Watch Over Me programmes are facilitating children and young people’s empathy and self-reflection. This has been shown particularly in their verbal comments and is supported by their behaviour during interviews. Such findings suggest that these factors may be playing an important role in driving the effectiveness the programmes in promoting safety messages. That is, pupils seem to be taking on board safety messages not because they are acquiring new rules, but because the messages are helping them to think in richer ways about themselves and about others.” |
Kids Taskforce aims to set a national standard for the safety information delivered to children throughout the country, working in partnership with individuals and organisations to make children's lives safer. |
