Sex, Likes & Social Media: The RAP Project

Our latest installment of 'Sex, Likes and Social Media' podcast explores how young people can use activism to call out street harassment and channel peer pressure into moral rebellion, affecting real change. Jessica Hawley, The RAP Project's Head of Training & Director of Primary Development, and Evie Chiles, RAP blogger and Intern, speak to two activists who are dedicated to end Street Harassment: Maya Tutton, co-founder of 'Our Streets Now' and Dr Dan Guiness, Managing Director of 'Beyond Equality'. Maya and her sister Gemma channelled an initial conversation on how uncomfortable it is to field sexist comments when walking home at night into a nationwide movement against street harassment. Meanwhile, Dan and his team deliver workshops to men and boys about gender equality, inclusive communities, and healthier relationships. We then speak to the brilliant Amherst College academic and author Dr. Catherine Anderson, whose latest book is called ""Why We Act: Turning Bystanders into Moral Rebels," which examines how people can harness moral rebellion to implement changes in behaviour. RAP believes young people today are the foot soldiers who can fundamentally reduce peer on peer sexual assault and harassment, and gender stereotypes. Listen to see how!

In this episode, we speak to Ava Vikal and Samuel Shulenberg, two courageous students who address open letters to the Heads of two prestigious schools in London, where lad-culture and inappropriate, even illegal, behaviours reign. Allison and Deana hear their stories, and discuss 'What Now?'

Over half of all university students in the UK are reporting unwanted sexual behaviour perpetrated upon them by another student. How much does "Lad Culture" or what we at The RAP Project call "Laditude", contributes to this culture?  How are universities responding to recent scandals involving toxic masculinity on campus? Are they doing enough to end gender-based violence and harassment? Are their actions making their campus’ safer? Deana Puccio, Co-Founder of The RAP Project, speaks to three university students, who openly discuss their experiences and offer some practical, positive strategies to create real change.

Teacher, coach and gender expert Ellie Collin joins us to discuss Gender construction, stereotyping and bias in competitive selective schools. Ellie discusses what schools, parents and pupils can do to create healthier, more inclusive and collaborative environments. 

This week first year university student Georgia Koopman speaks to educator Cathy Walker about the emotional and physical challenges of returning to school after a six month hiatus due to Covid 19 and summer holidays. Understandably, young people are concerned about waking up on time, socialising and the heavy academic workload they face after months of varying levels of structure. Cathy offers brilliant advice on how students can use the start of the school year to practice a forward thinking approach, adapt and enjoy personal and academic growth.

Pornography is part of teen culture, whether we like it or not. Our work with young people supports this, and informs us that many young people are influenced by the erotic videos, the hardcore porn vidoes, and they are changing their expectations, attitudes accordingly. Allison Havey, co-founder of The RAP Project and CEO of The RAP Foundation, speaks to two teenagers about how online porn has affected them personally, their friends and their sexuality.

Former NY Sex Crimes prosecutor Deana Puccio describes how a lightbulb moment grew into a programme that now reaches tens of thousands of young people throughout the UK & abroad.  She shares how The RAP Project educates students about sexual assault, digital & personal safety & how pornography & social media influence expectations & body image. Listen to Deana tell her story. She is joined by Sixth Former Georgia Koopman, as we hear more about what’s to come for Sex, Likes and Social Media and why this is the podcast for you.