#Vu, the new Belgian theatre play on the risks of sexting

On Wednesday, 23 May, Child Focus, the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, has launched #Vu, a theatre play for schools meant to raise awareness about the risks of sexting. Performed by the Arts Nomades theatre company, the play ‘#Vu' premiered in Brussels in May 2018.

Date 2018-08-03 Author Belgian Safer Internet Centre
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Why sexting?
The term ‘sexting' refers to the action of sending nude or sexually themed photos via social media among (consenting) partners. Targeting pupils in the second grade of secondary education, the play depicts possible consequences of reckless sexting, the most problematic aspect of which being ‘revenge porn'. This can occur if for example a couple breaks up and one partner decides to take revenge on the other by publishing explicit pictures of their ex-partner online.

According to Child Focus, about 12% of young people in Belgium have already sent such an image and about a quarter have received one. "Online privacy is about so much more than a good password or cyber-security," said Heidi De Pauw, CEO of Child Focus. "It's very difficult to take control of or delete a photo once it's in cyberspace." Last year, Child Focus was asked to follow up on 135 cases of sexting which had gone wrong.

The play focuses mainly on prevention, targeting those who have sent or are considering sending explicit texts, but it equally wants to raise awareness among youngsters who receive and then decide to share explicit photos initially addressed only to them. "They have to realise that they are also guilty of negative consequences afterwards," said De Pauw.

The play has been selected to become part of the Festival de Huy, a festival for cultural theatre programmers for youth audience from Belgium and France.

The play will be available for schools and youth organizations starting from September 2018.

For reservations, you can write an email to info@artsnomades.be

Find out more about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services.

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