28TH MAR 2025
Safeguarding: Students Talk About Knife Crime, Incel, Extremism and more
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At Gloucestershire College, keeping students safe is one of our top priorities. From the moment someone joins us, they’re supported to learn about things that can have a big impact on their lives—things like healthy relationships, consent, misogyny, violence, gendered violence, and the dangers of online spaces such as the manosphere and incel communities.
Over the past year, our specialist safeguarding team has been running more focus groups than ever, exploring important topics like sexual harassment, radicalisation and extremism. From student feedback, student development sessions have taken a greater focus on making sure that students have the knowledge and confidence to stay safe and support each other. That could mean spotting red flags in friendships or relationships, knowing how to report a concern, or understanding some of the growing risks young people face online.
What else have we been up to?
Social Media and Risks Online
With growing concerns over young people using social media and smart phones, we’ve have been having lots of conversations within student sessions that link back to wider social discussions. Netflix’s Adolescence has helped us discuss some heavy but important topics—like incel culture and online radicalisation. It’s been a great opportunity to have meaningful discussions and give students a space to reflect and ask questions about things that impact them.
Bystander Training
After the Manchester Bee Anti-Violence Monument was showcased at our Gloucester campus, our student mentor and support staff received 'bystander' training. This equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively intervene in situations where harm, harassment, or violence may occur.
We’re now rolling that out to students too, so that they can actively support others when spotting inappropriate language and behaviours. The training was delivered by Nick Gazzard from the Hollie Gazzard Trust, and it's helping build a stronger, more supportive community across the college.
Cut it Out Training with GDASS
We’ve continued working with Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) to provide our future hairdressers and beauticians with training to support clients who disclose that they are victims of domestic abuse.
The training forms part of the Cut It Out campaign. Hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists work closely with their clients, often being seen as someone trusted to confide in or talk to. GDASS has been delivering Cut It Out training to our students, enabling them to spot signs of domestic violence and abuse, and giving them the knowledge and confidence to support clients.
Knife Crime
At our Forest of Dean campus, PCSO Taryn Yiollaris has been visiting to run sessions on knife crime using VR headsets. Students are given a brief about a situation, they then put on the VR headsets. They get to make decisions which alter the outcome and then discuss. The students found the session really engaging with technology bringing the topic to life.
Student groups also visited the Knife Angel when it was on display at Gloucester Cathedral and have been introduced to documentaries like Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis. These sessions have been key in opening discussions between students and staff about knife crime and youth violence.
We’re proud to be a place where students feel safe, included, and respected. The student support team run frequent campaigns to raise awareness, and minimise the stigma in reporting a concern, no matter how small it may seem.
Head of Student Support, Emma Haines, said:
“Working with young people continues to be a vibrant, rewarding and ever-changing challenge. As a college we are determined to support student's development, success and skills for life, in an inclusive, relatable and impactful way. Building student resilience, confidence and awareness, tackling these difficult topics together is vital in supporting our community and every young person as they navigate the world.”
Whatever challenges students might face, we’ve got tailored support to help them.
Find out about our Student Support 
