Zahra Khan is a Pupil Barrister at Kenworthy’s Chambers. She is undertaking a mixed practice of Crime and Family Law. She recently volunteered with The School’s Consent Project (SCP), providing sixth formers with some education on the topic of consent.

The School’s Consent Project (SCP) is an organisation that provides legal education to school aged children on the topic of consent. It is a unique organisation that involves legally qualified individuals leading workshops on what consent means, equipping young people with basic legal knowledge to navigate sexual interactions safely.

The project first caught my eye when I watched the awarding winning play Prima Facie featuring Jodie Comer, which focuses on the challenges sexual offending presents within the criminal justice system and the topic of consent. The play sponsored SCP to encourage a change in the education around consent. I was spurred on to become involved as I recognised that the sexual education provided to myself and my peers when I was at school was distinctly lacking discussion around the legality of consent.

I co-presented, alongside other SCP volunteers, a workshop on consent centred on scenes in Molly Walker’s film ‘How to Have Sex’ to groups of sixth formers. This film depicts a group of young girls going on their first ‘rite-of-passage’ holiday; particularly pertinent to the age group we were delivering to.

I am proud to be involved in giving my time to volunteer for SCP, especially having come across a number of cases where the issue is that of consent during my pupillage so far. It is rewarding to contribute to young people’s understanding of consent. I hope to have left these students with the knowledge to recognise when a crime is being committed, with the tools to prevent crimes of this nature from being committed, and with a better understanding of the criminal justice system and changing attitudes.

I would encourage other legal professionals, particularly members of the criminal justice system, to become involved in delivering these important and rewarding workshops.

Zahra Khan is a Pupil Barrister specialising in Criminal Law and Family Law. Following completion of her pupillage, she will practice in Crime and Family. If you have a case that you need advice or advocacy for, call our Clerks on 0161 832 4036, or fill out our contact form.