The parents of murdered schoolgirl Amanda Dowler have launched a soap opera to teach children about personal safety.
Bob and Sally Dowler commissioned the Watch Over Me programme in memory of their 13-year-old daughter, known as Milly, who was found dead six months after she went missing on her way home from school in Surrey last year.
The five-episode soap opera, published this week, will be sent out to 7,000 schools to be used in citizenship and PSHE lessons for 11 to 16-year olds.
Sally Dowler said: “Milly must have got in a car. What would make her do that? As a teacher I started wondering what safety advice is available for teenagers. Teachers are being given more and more responsibility but personal safety is an essential life skill, it should be taught in schools.”
The soap drama, written and performed by the National Youth Theatre, documents the lives of five 14-year-olds as they encounter issues such as bullying, street crime, teenage sex and domestic violence. It was written with the help of missdorothy.com, a child safety charity which provides advice for younger children.
Secondaries can get a free copy of the video and accompanying manual by visiting www.millysfund.org.uk or writing to Milly’s Fund, PO Box 470, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 3XZ. A pound;5 contribution is requested towards postage and packaging.