A HARINGEY YOUTH PUBLICATION
free Aug 09 issue 100
£0.00
Emily Claire Cannings
reviewer
Angela Cooper reporter
Emma Bagley photographer
Stephanie Brown reporter/illustrator
Eloise Mahoney reporter
Duane Uba illustrator
Alex Adding illustrator/repoton rter
Cressida Jones illustrator
are Gabrielle Asar oracle
Lucie Hembra reporter
Exposure The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfield Park, N10 3QJ Tel: 020 8883 0260 Fax: 020 8883 2906 Mob: 07947 884 282 Email: info@exposure.org.uk Website: www.exposure.org.uk
Joy Synak reporter
Christina Pashialis reporter/poet
Natasha Minto reporter
Printed by TIP Limited 07590 850 532 Manager: Andreas Koumi Senior Editor: Gary Flavell Senior Designer: Luke Pantelidou Development officer: Flo Codjoe Junior Exposure: Mirella Issaias
Regrettably our office is inaccessible to wheelchair users but we will nevertheless make every effort to include your contributions
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Disclaimer Exposure aims to give young people an independent voice which can contribute to the democratic process. While Exposure has done its best to check material contained within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for inaccurate information provided by outside organisations. Organisations mentioned are not necessarily connected with nor endorsed by Exposure. Permission has been sought, wherever possible, for the use of copyright material. Where contact has not been possible we hope that, as a voluntary organisation helping to educate and inform young people, it is acceptable for Exposure to use such material for the benefit of young people.
Issue 100 August 2009 Exposure is free and open to anyone aged 13 to 19 living in or around Haringey. If you want to get into journalism, design or film-making, get involved.
Editorial by Gary Flavell (Editor of Exposure) If you read Exposure regularly you’ll know that this editorial is usually reserved for a young person to comment on whatever loose theme might be running through that specific issue. So apologies if you usually enjoy this bit, you’ll have to wait until the next magazine. Some how, our young people have battled through pre-exam result stress, summer holiday frolics, and laziness to put together the 100th issue of Exposure magazine. It’s taken 14 years to get here! It’s quite an achievement, even if we do say so ourselves. 100 issues of young people telling the world (but chiefly Haringey) the way it is. Exposure continually demonstrates that young people are Sponsors:
not only, mostly, good, but also that they can articulate themselves with eloquence and class – a few established national newspapers might want to follow such an example. The team here would like to thank all the young people who’ve contributed over the last 100 issues, making Exposure the best youth magazine in the country (that’s not misplaced confidence, we actually won an award). And to any young person who’s ever picked up Exposure magazine, thank you and bless, blud. Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t – you’re right.
Hornsey Parochial Charities
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reviews by Emily Claire Cannings
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book. This instalment takes us into the past of Harry’s professors, like mighty Dumbledore who shows Harry his visit to Tom Riddle from years before, where even he makes mistakes. Meanwhile Malfoy is being pushed by his family to be in Voldermort’s circle, which terrifies him. The kids have become young adults – there is even a kissing scene with Ginny and Harry. I thought the film, which was full of suspenseful moments, tied up lots of loose ends, but also left some interesting unanswered questions for the next Harry Potter movie.
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Emily
JUPITER AMIDSHIPS Jupiter Amidships, by S. I. Martin, is about the seafaring tales of brave Jupiter Williams, a teenage boy with two brothers. Jupiter has a spirit for adventure. This book starts with Jupiter imprisoned on board a British Royal Navy ship sailing towards home of Sierra Leone. This book is set during two important events in history: the invention of the submarine, and the ending of slavery, these bring the story alive. The creation of the submarine shows how the world is becoming industrialised, while the end to slavery means freedom is given to those who need it, despite the ramifications. Jupiter’s tales are an interesting mix of history, suspense and adventure. I think the book is aimed at young teenage boys, however I, as a girl, enjoyed it and would recommend the book.
BLOOD BOND Blood Bond, by Spike T. Adams, is about a boy whose family is torn by the death of his father. He has two brothers who turn to gang crime as a distraction from the trauma, but what happens when one of them goes out with a girl from another crew? Focusing on controversial teenage issues, Blood Bond tells of the dangers of carrying a weapon, or even just being in a gang. The characters develop as they are put through harrowing circumstances including suicides and gang murder. Blood Bond is a easy read with rapid chapters and an interesting plot, covering themes of love, hate, gangs and territory. The book is a thrilling read with both a sad and a happy ending. I would definitely recommend Blood Bond.
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10 0 not 0UTT 0U Stephanie Brown takes a trip down memory lane Exposure’s 100th issue; it’s hard to believe we’ve made it this far. It’s been an amazing journey, even for me, and I’ve only been involved a short while. The idea to set up a youth magazine came from manager and stalwart, Andy Koumi with support from Haringey Youth Service. The vision to build the Exposure bandwagon began nearly 14 years ago, and since then around 2,000 young people have jumped on board. Exposure magazine was brought to life in a small office, tucked away in the Muswell Hill Centre in...er...Muswell Hill. ‘We had no idea if anyone would be interested in writing for a youth magazine.’ Says Andy. ‘We created posters, wrote press releases and sent them to the local newspapers, we also worked with Haringey Council to spread the word to young people. Eventually we got 20 youngsters crammed into our shoe box office, all eager, all ready to spread the voice of the youth, whatever the consequences – and there were some.
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It was this first group who came up with the name ‘Exposure’.’ The first issue was eventually produced: a two colour, A4, 12-page magazine resembling a newsletter rather than a glossy magazine. But it was done. ‘We’d managed to give the young people of Haringey a platform to talk about issues that concerned them. It was a proud moment for us. Although from the start we realised that things weren’t going to run smoothly. Not everyone approved of allowing young people free speech.’ The first two issues of Exposure contained two particular articles that caused a commotion. Admittedly both were contentious, one focusing on how the media sensationalises the drug ecstasy; the other was an article about teenage sex. The magazine was subsequently banned by a number of local schools. While we suffered a bit of bad press, we can’t possibly comment on how this affected our credibility among local young people!
Stephanie
No one ever expected to reach 100 issues. In fact, when it started we had no idea how long Exposure would last. Each issue could have been our last; we depended upon Haringey Youth Service for funding, and a hardcore group of young people to write the content – if
It was a major step that enabled us to apply to funders like the National Lottery and Comic Relief. This relieved pressure (and our dependence) on the Council to provide financial support to keep Exposure running. Since the first issue, Exposure has gone
No one ever expected to reach 100 issues. In fact, when it started we had no idea how long Exposure would last through four major design overhauls, either failed it would have been over. The problem was that we had no idea if there was a need for Exposure magazine: was it popular with Haringey’s young people? We got our answer in February 1997 when we put together the Exposure Under-18s Valentine’s party at Alexandra Palace, and promoted it through the mag. 1,700 young people turned up. This told us that Exposure was being read, and we had to make it last. Exposure eventually became a registered charity, and the following years saw it evolve from an independent youth magazine into a functioning charity.
and hundreds of visual tweaks. In 2003, issue 66 saw the most dramatic change in design and format when the A4 size of previous magazines was reduced to A5, doubling the thickness to 28 pages; it also became a full colour publication for the first time. And so the magazine remains pretty much as it did in 2003. There have been refinements to the design, and a new Exposure logo (the one on the front of this very magazine), but the driving force behind Exposure remains the same: young people. What do we need to continue? Just you...
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
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GINGER
Alex Addington is ‘reddy’ for action ‘Get back in your biscuit tin, ginger, ginger. Get back in your...’. A solitary ‘ginge’ turns the corner of the corridor towards his next lesson. He is immune to taunts, to the group of people following him, chanting over and again. Teachers walk past and do nothing to stop them. Even the boy who is being tormented seems to laugh it off. But why is this?
Dave Kitson, well known for fiery ginger hair, spoke out against abuse he received from opposing fans on match days. He claimed that ‘we talk about kicking racism out of sport, but this is just as bad in a way.‘ However, his concerns were not taken seriously: the Daily Star ran with the headline ‘Kitson’s a right ginger whinger.‘ Gordon Taylor, head of the Football Players Association, stated Kitson‘s comments ‘belittle rascism when comparing the two issues.‘ Despite this, the law clearly identifies
Britain seems to have a particular issue with gingers ‘gingerism‘ as discrimination. In June Why is it socially acceptable to discriminate against gingers? If the group had targeted the boy’s race or sexuality, teachers would instantly throw them into detention – they wouldn’t even dare start in the first place. Gingerism doesn’t exist only in school, even professional footballers are taunted. In 2005, then Reading striker,
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2007, The Daily Mail reported that a female waitress won compensation after claiming her boss had been harassing her about her hair colour. The employment tribunal ruled in her favour, awarding £17,618 in compensation. And yet, in May this year, a British schoolboy committed suicide because of the colour of his hair. And in 2003, a boy in Newcastle was stabbed in the back,
SNAPS
simply for ‘being ginger‘. It‘s surreal to live in a place where young people are harmed, or hurt themselves, because of their hair colour, and yet it remains acceptable to continue abusing people with ginger hair. Britain seems to have a particular issue with gingers. In America, for example, red tops are seen as glamorous, and in Holland they have a two-day festival called ‘Redheaday’. Yet here, coppertops have now become so ashamed of their hair colour that they insist on their barnet being ‘strawberry blonde’ rather than red. Gingerism is thought to have started as far back as ancient Eygpt, where gingers were considered unlucky, and even burnt at the stake. In 19th century Britain, Montague Summers, an eccentric English author and clergyman, claimed that those with red hair and green eyes were most likely to be related to witches, werewolves and vampires. However this was probably an attempt oppress the Celts and Irish who had a higher proportion of red heads than the dominant English.
Alex
It’s unbelievable to think that gingerism goes so far back despite influential men like William Blake, William Shakespeare, and Winston Churchill all being ginger and British. And yet this social minority is persistently attacked. It’s time for gingers to stand up and unite against our persecutors. For centuries we have been oppressed! Take pride from Blake’s poems and art, and belief from Churchill’s efforts against fascism. Realise that we have made contributions to society without them being realised as a ‘ginger’ act. Now it’s our time to end this madness. In the words of fellow red head, Malcolm X: ‘nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality, justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.’ I stand ginger and proud.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
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Anxious Joy Joy Synak shies away from social anxiety Panic. Fear. Discomfort. Stress. These are common feelings for someone suffering from social anxiety, a psychological disorder that negatively affects a person’s social skills. It affected me so badly I dropped out of secondary school, missing all my exams. Every time I attended a
day: I would sleep well and go in next day not feeling too bad – it’s a shame school doesn’t work that way. Someone would say something to offend me, I would get into a fight, and I’d get detention. Just having a teacher shout at me would mean I wouldn’t be in for a few days. I’d often get stuck in an prolonged cycles of being absent, feeling worse for every day I wasn’t in. I never received any help for my social anxiety and eventually
Adrenaline pumped through my veins as if someone had pulled a knife out and threatened gave up on education completely. to kill me Social anxiety is the intense fear of a
lesson my heart started to pound and I would get chest pains. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as if someone had pulled a knife out and threatened to kill me. All I had done was walk into a classroom. My classmates would give me funny looks, and attempting to hide my distress just made it worse. I could handle it as long as everything went well in a
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situation where you are being watched or judged by others. Symptoms include anxiety, nervousness, negative thought cycles, a racing heart, blushing, excessive sweating, dry throat and mouth, trembling and muscle twitching. The situations that bring these symptoms out vary from person to person: being introduced to new people, being teased
Joy
or criticised, being the centre of attention, meeting people in authority, making eye contact, and having to speak in formal, public situations are all terrifying things for a sufferer to go though. Millions of people around the world suffer from social anxiety; it is the third most common psychological disorder. But, it is curable. I am living proof of that. I challenged the negative thoughts in my head. Whenever I thought about how everyone must hate me, how I’m socially inept, and how I never performed correctly in a situation, I reminded myself that it wasn’t true, an illusion my own brain created. As far as everyone else is concerned, I’m just a quiet person. I also became more impulsive. I wouldn’t speak because I was worried about what others would think. But just saying ‘hi’ to someone I wanted to talk to improved my confidence and self-esteem. Social anxiety is no longer an obstacle in my life. At the present I’m working at Exposure, writing articles like this one,
and having discussions without issue. It’s difficult just let go and be the person you want to be, but once you begin thinking positively it gets easier the next time you’re in social situation. There are many exercises you can perform to relieve symptoms and improve your mental state. A doctor will tell you how to perform these, or you can find them all on the internet. You may be prescribed anti-depressants, but it is important to understand that this is a last resort, and you can get over social anxiety without medication. Recognise what social anxiety can do to a person. Someone who seems anti-social, disinterested, or rude, may just be dealing with the intense psychological effects of the disorder. It’s important to be nonthreatening and friendly. Understand that a sufferer might benefit from talking to someone they can relax around. Hopefully with a better understanding we can all do our part to help each other out. For more information about social anxiety visit: http://www.social-anxiety.org.uk/
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
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By Angela Cooper & Eloise Mahoney Illustrations by & Stephanie Brown
Anger Management
Ups and downs. I have just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I know I can attend groups to help me with my condition, and my friends are trying to be supportive, but I feel like my world is crashing down. I don’t want people to treat me any different, but they already do. I’m not sure what to do. Special groups are a great way to meet people with similar issues and gain useful information. You should have been offered one-to-one therapy, which can be useful. Your doctor might also provide you with medication. It’s understandable that you’re finding this time stressful, but bipolar conditions can be very manageable – read up on the condition (there’s loads out there!) as many people lead a normal life with similar conditions. Your friends and family might need help understanding the illness to ensure they don’t treat you differently – they can be more supporting if they can spot swings in your moods. Please see www.mdf.org.uk and www.bipolaraware.co.uk for more information.
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I’ve got a really bad temper. Both of my parents are short-tempered as well. When I have a problem I can never resolve it without shouting or arguing with someone. I feel like I might lose all my friends soon, they’ve all stuck by me for so long. You might benefit from one-to-one anger management sessions. There are many counselling services providing help; most schools will offer support also. Become aware of your triggers and particular situations that make you angry and why. Assertiveness training and relaxation techniques might help. Can you work on this with your parents, as a family? Talk to your friends about it and acknowledge that they’ve stood by you. Say that you need support – it sounds like they’d be willing to help.
Angela
Eloise
Stephanie
Agony is brought to you in association with Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service. You can find them at 10 Bruce Grove, Tottenham, N17 6RA, call 020 8493 1019, or email stephen.westcott@haringey.gov.uk.
What’s the point?
Party hard My friend always goes to parties and gets drunk and stoned. She smokes all the time. Recently she started taking ecstasy. When I confronted her about it, but she shouted at me. I’m scared for her well-being. If she can’t talk openly, get her to call Frank, the free drugs advice line, on 0800 77 66 00. She can also talk to Haringey young people’s counselling service, Involve or Cosmic, you can find the details in the directory on page 27 of this magazine. You are right to be worried. She could be putting herself in dangerous situations and the long-term effects of ecstasy are still unknown. You could download information and look at the risks with her. She needs to understand that there is a difference between having fun, and using drink and drugs to block feelings. Let her know you’re worried and offer other support services if she feels she can’t speak to you about it.
I have a fear of sharp knives, especially scalpels. Whenever I see one on telly I have to turn it off and I can’t go into the kitchen without being really nervous. I can’t even hold a toy knife, and I only use a fork when I eat my dinner. I feel silly, mainly because my friends make fun of me rather than support me. It sounds like you have a phobia of knives. It would probably be wise to seek professional help, however you could try being open with your friends and explain it hurts and you feel silly when they don’t support you. The process of getting over this will be in exploring your thoughts and feelings around knives to see where the phobia started. Eventually when you are ready you can be slowly reintroduced to using them, with professional support. Feel free to call the counselling team or try www.topuk.org for groups around phobias.
Everyone’s got problems – see the Directory on page 27 for a list of support services.
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CLICKED YET? The beginning of a school year can be a scary time. There’s studying to be done, essays to write, and exams to prepare for. On top of that you might have EMA to sort out, or maybe you’re still looking for a suitable course to start. Whatever kind of educational support you need, Haringey Youth Space is a good place to find it.
Visit www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk to get advice or information on new courses, further education, support, and benefits.
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Gallery r ry
Emma
Fly Digital Photograph, enhanced in Photoshop. “I saw it there so I photographed it” Emma Bagley
Send your artwork to: Exposure, The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfield Park, N10 3QJ or email: luke@exposure.org.uk.
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Wake up: get to bed says Christina Pashialis Just 10 more minutes on the Xbox. You tell yourself the same thing every evening. I’ll quickly check my Facebook messages and then get to bed. The next thing you know it’s 2am and you’re still at your computer. Not a big deal? Think again. You are depriving yourself of sleep, and it’s affecting you more than you think. In the most severe cases of sleep deprivation, hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, memory and concentration lapses
on how well your body performs. In a survey of 12-16 year olds, conducted by the US Sleep Council (Americans always lose sleep over these things), it was found that only 10% place any importance on getting a good night’s slumber. Experts recommend that we should have eight hours sleep per night, but 70% of teens get less than that. Staying up past your bedtime damages your body and mental state. The Sleep Council states that 73% of teens that
Experts recommend that we should have eight hours sleep per night, but 70% of teens suffer from depression are sleep deprived. get less than that You’re also more likely to be obese as
are common. In 2007, Tony Wright of Penzance, Cornwall experienced all of these symptoms when he stayed awake for 18 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes – the longest recorded period without sleep by any human being. While this is an extreme example, consistently going without kip can have major implications
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your metabolism slows the longer you stay awake, which is not great as you crave sugary foods, that make you fat, to give you energy. You also become more prone to acne. Are those extra Facebook hours really worth all that? It’s not just your body that suffers, school will be also affected: ‘I was stuck
Cressida
in a rut. I’d be on my Xbox until the early hours, and be too tired for school. So I kept going in late, I couldn’t concentrate in class and I was too sleepy to do my homework. My teacher had a word with me about falling behind in lessons and I agreed to go to bed earlier. I couldn’t believe what a difference just sleeping properly made. The computer was off at 8:00pm and I was in bed by 10:00pm. My grades have recovered and I honestly feel more energetic and happy at school.’ Demitri, 15, Southgate. It’s time to ditch those gadgets and grumpy morning moods for energy boosting sleep! It might take a while to change bad habits so here’s a few ideas to help you get enough sleep: Have a 15-minute ‘power’ nap - having a kip when you get home from school can give you a massive energy boost! In Japan, work places have ‘napping’ rooms and desk pillows for employees to doze during the day. Tidy your room - pack tomorrow’s schoolbooks tonight, and unclutter your floor; having a clean space is relaxing. Don’t drink sugary drinks, tea or coffee,
Christina
or sweets within two hour of going to bed – a glass of hot milk or herbal tea helps your body to relax. This cycle of staying up late and feeling tired during the day is probably familiar to most teens. We’re bombarded with which foods to eat, the type of exercise we’re supposed to be doing, but we get very little information on how beneficial healthy sleep is. Forget tiring late nights, it’s time to jump out of bed before your alarm clock rings, full of energy all day, even in maths lessons!
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
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DEATH
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SENTENCE Duane
A pig day afternoon by Eloise Mahoney
I wake up, surrounded by hundreds of inmates. We’re all the same, all insignificant. My eyes remain closed, the sights around me are too horrible to behold. I stand in my own excretion, trapped in a box. No way out. Most of us were born here, but a few were shipped in. We hear stories of how their friends died on their way here. Some of them talk about beautiful things: black starry skies and clear blue days, the warm sun beating down on their back as they shovel down a feast. I give up thoughts of a better life, and remain in my own torturous existence. One day I may get away from here, as my parents did, as their parents did before
Eloise
but after years of sickness, the constant retching, it becomes familiar, normal. I often fidget, not wanting to rise, even for food. I feel weak. The doors open at the far end the building to reveal guards bringing in our daily slop. I don’t know what’s in this mixture, but right now I don’t care – if I don’t eat it I will starve. The doors at the end of the room reopen. Within seconds my cage opens in front of me. I look up just as the realisation hits home. We’re free! We’re going! “Paul, Paul! Wake up, wake up, it’s our turn!” I practically scream at him, but he doesn’t react. When the guards arrive they prod him with a stick, and roll him over. He doesn’t wake. He’s not breathing. ‘No, he can’t have died! It’s our turn; wake up! We’ve been waiting so long. Come on!’ The guards calm me down by hitting
The guards calm me down by hitting me with a pole; I soon get the message them. They left a while ago now; I haven’t seen them since. I’m comforted by the thought of seeing them again, although I don’t know where or when. Ah! It looks like the stone-faced prison guards are taking some of the others away now: ‘Say hello to my parents for me!’ I shout, excited for them, finally released, finally free. I wake up Paul, my cellmate. ‘They took another lot of them, we could be leaving soon!’ I whisper almost ecstatic. ‘Leave me alone.’ ‘But Paul! I think it’ll be us next! We’re getting out of here!” He started snoring within seconds; I looked around and the excitement drained from my system. I can’t wait to be out of this place; the smell, what I see, it makes me sick;
me with a pole; I get the message. Walking away, I consider my friend. He must have just given up, I feel his pain, but if he’d only hung on a little longer. The gateway to my freedom gets more real with every step, I feel overwhelmed as I move towards the door. But they open to reveal something unexpected. There’s another room. The main guard grabs my ear, hurting me. I don’t resist. I am taken to a table in the middle of the room and fastened to it. From another door, come other men in white coats. They were wearing gloves; I started to panic. Tools are brought in and laid onto a table next to me, huge sharp knives lay shining, menacing, promising pain, reflecting my fear. There’s a sharp sting in my belly. I’m free.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
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Horoscope By Gabrielle Asare
Virgo
Aug. 24 - Sep. 22
A\ break is what you need; you’re making very hasty decisions, which could backfire very badly. Stop ignoring advice from friends and relatives.
Libra
Sep. 23 - Oct. 23
Spend more time with your family; a relative will have some good news for you. !
Scorpio
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22
Sagittarius
Nov. 23 - Dec. 21
Things could turn out very nasty if the wrong decision is made. Relax and don’t let stress overwhelm you – there is a surprise in stall for you.
You need to think about what you are going to do next, so take care and don’t rush into it. A touch of love is what you need.
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Gabrielle
Janos
Llewellyn
Orlando
Camila
Tony
Images by Janos Papp, Llewellyn Harrigan, Orlando McKenzie, Camila Lopes and Tony Randall
Capricorn
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Family support is what you need right now, so don’t back away from your relatives. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as it could come in very handy.
Aquarius
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Be positive to those around you and there could be a new friendship waiting around the corner for you, grab it with both hands.
Pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
Take notice of advice given by your best friend, it would be very useful and could determine your future.
Aries
Mar. 21 - Apr. 20
You are filled with excitement due to recent changes in your life. However, there are decisions to be made to prolong this good feeling.
Taurus
Apr. 21 - May. 22
Work hard and your good work will be recognised. You must also ensure that you don’t take things to personally with your friends.
Gemini
May 23 - Jun. 23
You are in the mood for new changes and are ready to do whatever it takes to be successful. Be careful of obstacles that could distract you.
Cancer
Jun. 24 - Jul. 23
You have hit rock bottom, but don’t be discouraged. Get back up and prove to everyone that you’re not beaten!
Leo
Jul. 24 - Aug. 23 It’s understandable that you find it hard to cope with your heavy workload and friends. Make a timetable and organise yourself.
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Lucie
Lucie Hembra asks is your relationship healthy? ‘Although we know that one in four women experience domestic violence, it is still shocking to find out that this statistic applies equally to teenage girls in their very first relationships.’ – Women’s Aid Chief Executive, Nicola Harwin CBE. Domestic abuse takes place within a relationship. It can be physical like punching or pushing, psychological like name calling, threats, blaming, or being controlling, or sexual like forcing a person to have sex or perform sexual acts against their will. Although men can be victims of domestic abuse, according to Women’s Aid more than 80% of victims are women; one-in-four teenage girls have been assaulted by a partner, and
incidents are less likely to be reported to the police than those committed by strangers. If your partner is physically forcing you to have sex, you must consider reporting it to the police – not making someone accountable for their actions reinforces their behaviour. It’s common for a victim to find leaving an abusive relationship difficult. The victim may be worried that they will get hurt. If children are involved, they may feel that splitting up is not best for the child. Some people in these types of relationships may think that they are to blame for their partner’s aggressive behaviour, but remember that only the partner is at fault for their actions, not
It’s unacceptable if your partner starts pressuring you to have sex when you’re not ready perhaps more shocking, nearly a quarter of 14-year-old girls have been forced to have sex or do something else sexual by someone they were dating. It’s easy to tell when you’re in a healthy relationship: you and your partner respect each other; you can talk to them openly, and you enjoy the time you spend together. However, telling the difference between this and an unhealthy relationship isn’t so easy. A relationship can be happy for a long time before it becomes abusive. There are signs to recognise when a relationship might be becoming unhealthy. These could be when your partner stops you from seeing particular people, or going out; constantly checks up on you or accuses you of seeing other people; calls you hurtful names; hits you or threatens to hit you. None of these things are acceptable, and all are cause to consider whether the relationship has become abusive. Sexual assault is very common in abusive relationships and you could be pressured in to doing things you’re not comfortable with. It’s unacceptable if your partner pressures you to have sex when you’re not ready. The NHS says that partners commit 45% of all rapes; these
you. You can never drive someone to hit you, or force you to do something against your will. If you are in an abusive relationship you could benefit from finding support from family, friends, or getting in touch with a support organisation that can give you advice on ending the relationship or recovering from trauma. If any of these issues sound familiar and you or someone you know is in need of help you can contact Hearthstone, Haringey’s domestic violence, advice and support centre, on 020 8888 5362. For free, confidential advice and guidance on any issues relating to sex and relationships, sexual health, contraception and your body, plus clinic opening times, visit www.ruthinking.co.uk and www.youthspace.haringey.gov. uk. You can also visit your local GP who will have information and advice on hand.
A DEDICATION This issue is dedicated to Andy Koumi, without whom Exposure would have never existed. Your eternal disgruntlement, confusion and frustration with the state of the world continue to beneďŹ t everyone who comes into contact with the project.
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WINNERS: HARINGEY YOUTH COUNCIL
Natasha
Members of the Haringey Youth Council have been awarded the Diana Certificate of Excellence for their work on last November’s ‘Shout Out’ event! This certificate recognises the outstanding contribution of young people who work together to address social issues in order to improve their communities, organisations, and schools. Haringey Youth Council exists to represent the views of children and young people in the borough. The youngsters responsible for the two-day Shout Out event are all committed and sensitive to the issues affecting young people within their local communities. The idea of Shout Out came from the young people’s desire to connect with their community, and explore and take action on the ‘big issues’ affecting young people’s lives. 200 young people from across Haringey took part in the Shout Out event. They used different methods to have their voices heard, and discussed major issues concerning young people. Well done Haringey Youth Council! If you would like to get involved with the Youth Council contact Alexandra Russell on 020 8489 5093 or visit www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk/youth_council
Natasha Minto
E2E 4 U Most 16-18 year olds are in sixth form or college. But that doesn’t mean everyone that age should be doing the same thing. Normal education isn’t for everyone, and there are other ways to gain skills. Entry2Employment, or E2E, gives you the tools you need to a job. As an incentive you’re paid £30 per week while training, and given a free Oyster card. You’ll also receive up to £100 in achievement bonuses if you do well, and gaining qualifications in Maths, English and ICT will help prepare you for the world of work. For further details contact Fatma at Haringey Adult Learning Services on 020 8489 2500 or 07976 346004
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Shyness. Christina Pashialis Christina
ul and suffocates my so Captivates my heart I lose control Squeezes so hard that until I freeze Chokes up my words disease. h my being, a silent ug ro th s ad re sp d An Oh I wish it would just let me flow Escape into the d istance and just leave me to gro So that I can show the world who I re ally am But only once you leave I truly can. e forever Shyness please don’t trap me her cktogether For so many years we’ve been stu e to part, But soon I hope that it will be tim a fresh start. Time to destroy you so I can make I’m silently crying, praying that one day I’ll flee From this thick evil trap surrounding the real me Fed up with this prisoner that I hav e become Lost within myself, only known to som e. th this monster eternally Perhaps I’ll be jammed wi d internally Living my whole life locke precious key Perhaps I won’t find that d set me free. That will open my soul an
w
But I’ll just keep waiting until that day arrives, Like all the others with this introversion in their lives Lingering in peace, neve r quite in touch
With this life that man seem to enjoy so much y people, .
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If you would like to see your poem published, please send it to editor@exposure.org.uk or post it to the address on page 2
Directory YOUTH CLUBS Muswell Hill Area Youth Project Muswell Hill Centre, Muswell Hill 020 8883 5855 Bruce Grove Area Youth Project 10 Bruce Grove, Tottenham 020 3224 1089 Wood Green Area Youth Project White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre 020 8489 8942 Broadwater Youth Club Structured sport-based programme Broadwater Community Centre, Tottenham 07870 15 7612 SEXUAL HEALTH 4YP Haringey Young people’s sexual health services including dedicated clinic, drop-in sessions and the 4YP bus www.shharingey.gov.uk Tel: 020 8442 6536 4YP Plus Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic Women Only Clinic – for under 20s A confidential walk in service Thursdays 3:30pm-6:30pm Lordship Lane Primary Care Health Centre, 239 Lordship Lane, London N17 6AA 020 8365 5910 4YP Clinic, St Ann’s Hospital St Ann’s Road, Tottenham N15 3TH 020 8442 6810 4YP nurse mobile : 07943817289 or 07984037172 Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Team Jan: 07817 164 4733 Margaret: 07971 309 513 Teenage Fathers Worker Terry: 07980 316 761
Young Mums To Be Course in Tottenham for teenage mums and dads 1 Ashley Road, Tottenham Hale 020 8275 4230 Outzone Confidential information and support for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people www.outzone.org DISABILITIES Markfield Project Inclusive services for disabled and non-disabled young people Markfield Road, Tottenham 020 8800 4134 DRUGS & ALCOHOL In-Volve For young people with drug or alcohol issues 020 8493 8525 Cosmic For the families of people with drug or alcohol issues 0800 38905257 www.in-volve.org.uk DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Hearthstone For people experiencing domestic violence 020 8888 5362 MENTAL HEALTH Antenna For black African and African-Caribbean young people 020 8365 9537 www.antennaoutreach.co.uk Haringey Young People’s Counselling Service Advice and support for young people 020 8493 1019 Host General mental health care 020 8885 8160 Revolving Doors Agency Tackling the link between mental health and crime 07779 098 269 www.revolving-doors.co.uk
Victim Support Haringey Working for victims of crime 020 8888 9878 www.vslondon.org HOUSING Shelterline Shelter’s free housing advice line 0808 800 4444 VOLUNTEERING Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme of personal development 020 8826 9393 BTCV V involved Team National volunteering programme www.btcv.org.uk EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING KIS Training Helping young people into employment, education & enterprise 020 8275 4230 Harington Scheme Preparing young people with learning difficulties or disabilities for work 55a Cholmeley Park, Highgate www.harington.org.uk Connexions One-stop shop for young people 020 8881 7050 Drop-in centres: Ground floor Marcus Garvey library Leisure Centre, N15 4JA 020 8881 7050 Wood Green Library, 2nd Floor High Road, London, N22 6XD 020 8489 5200 www.haringey.gov.uk/ connexions Exposure is made possible thanks to core funding support provided by Haringey Youth Service. Exposure is a registered trademark of Exposure Organisation Limited, registered in England no. 3455480, registered charity no. 1073922. The views expressed by young people in Exposure do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its funder. (c) 2009. All rights reserved. ISSN 1362-8585
If your organisation would like to be included on this page please call 020 8883 0260
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