Louise O'Neill visit

As part of Bullying Awareness Week 2015, the writer Louise O'Neill yesterday read and talked to Sixth and Fifth Formers. Her first book was Only Ever Yours, but most discussion was on her latest, the powerful Asking for It, particularly around issues of sexual asssault, sexual consent and social media.

Louise read an extract from the novel, in which the central character, Emma, is devastated in the aftermath of a terrible event. She then talked about how the long-term effects of bullying (even for a five year-old), and how the impact can be long-lasting. She said both researching and writing Asking for It had finally left her almost mentally exhausted, and how it is only now that she feels ready to write again. She answered many questions from the pupils in a highly articulate, persuasive and often amusing manner. 

The animation below about consent was mentioned, and is worth looking at.