Dec 08 issue 96 £0.00 - Exposure

A HARINGEY YOUTH PUBLICATION
£0.00
free
Dec 08 issue 96

Gisela Santos
editorial team
Duane Uba
illustrator
Shian Plummer
reporter
2
Rosh Bell Kohli
editorial team
Robin Campbell
reporter
Julie Amaa
agony aunt/poet
Josh Büyükyilmaz
fi lm reviewer
Anthony Antoniou
reporter
Ellen Scott
agony aunt
Ben Holt
editorial team
Shukier Skyers
reporter
Victoria Opyrchal
illustrator
Exposure
The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfi eld Park, N10 3QJ
Tel: 020 8883 0260 Fax: 020 8883 2906 Mob: 07947 884 282
Email: info@exposure.org.uk Website: www.exposure.org.uk
Elena Demetriou
reporter
Esther Adewusi
oracle
Emma Burridge
reporter
Printers
The Cedar Group
31- 41 Worship St
London, EC2A 2DX
Regrettably our offi ce is inaccessible to wheelchair users but we will nevertheless make every
effort to include your contributions
Disclaimer
Exposure aims to give young people an independent voice which can contribute to the democratic process.
While Exposure has done its best to check material contained within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for inaccurate information provided
by outside organisations. Organisations mentioned are not necessarily connected with nor endorsed by Exposure.
Permission has been sought, wherever possible, for the use of copyright material. Where contact has not been possible we hope that, as a voluntary
organisation helping to educate and inform young people, it is acceptable for Exposure to use such material for the benefi t of young people.

Issue 96 December 2008
Exposure is free and open to anyone
aged 13 to 19 living in or around Haringey.
If you want to get into journalism, design
or fi lm-making, get involved.
Sponsors:
Editorial by Rosh Bell Kohli
and Gisela Santos
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for
the last month, you may have noticed
that the world economy has collapsed in
on itself – soon the coins in your pocket
will probably be as useless as a City stock
broker.
Yes, the credit crunch come recession
is affecting us all, and for the average
young person the problems it brings are
clear - it’s becoming harder and harder
to fi nd a part-time job with employers
unwilling to hire inexperienced young
staff. And for the many of us who’re
preparing to go the university in a year’s
time, the prospect of repaying a £20,000
student loan is daunting, especially as the
problems might be worse then; it might
be even harder to fi nd a job.
Youthful
Thinking
Still, to cheer us up, across the pond,
Barack Obama has become the fi rst
black American to be elected President
and hopefully his promise of change
will infl uence our leaders to follow his
example. In fact I think we all could learn
a thing or two from him, like always
staying optimistic and driven no matter
how monumental the challenge. Forty
years ago black people couldn’t sit on the
same area of the bus as white people. In
these times no one would have predicted
a black US President, but today we have
one. For the fi rst time in years, we’re
proud of our cousins in America.
YES WE ARE!
Hornsey
Parochial
Charities
3

4
fi lm
reviews
by Josh Büyükyilmaz
TROPIC THUNDER
Ben Stiller returns to the director’s
chair in this pumped-up war comedy.
Tropic Thunder tells the story of a
group of Hollywood actors who are
brought together to become a platoon
of soldiers in a new fi lm, but are
then naturally distressed to discover
that they’ve been dropped into a real
combat situation. Stiller stars as actor
Tugg Speedman, and is given ample
support from the likes of Robert
Downey Jr and Jack Black, and the
fi lm has an unrecognisable special
appearance from Tom Cruise.
I really enjoyed this movie. I thought
it was a real hoot, especially Downey
Jr’s exaggerated portrayal of an African
American. When it comes out on DVD
and Blu-ray this is a fi lm that should
defi nitely be on your shelf.
ilm

TAKEN
BURN AFTER READING
josh
An ex-soldier has to travel through
Europe embarking on a frantic quest to
rescue his daughter from slave traders
before they turn her into a prostitute.
Needless to say he’s pretty desperate to
fi nd her and bring her back home.
Taken is pretty much a rehash of Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s 80’s hit, Commando,
so it’s pretty pointless in a way, but
the industry hasn’t had an explosive
action fi lm in a while so I guess we’re
lucky really. Watch it.
The Coen Brother’s Burn After Reading
has a stellar cast of respected actors
including, Brad Pitt, George Clooney,
and John Malkovich. It’s a comedy
(although it’s not that funny) about
a pair of gym workers who happen
across a disk of CIA secrets (cool).
Foolishly, they attempt to bribe the
disk’s owner, but the question of how
the disk arrived in the gym in the fi rst
place arises and things start to get
really complicated.
This fi lm is both good and bad and it
really gets going as the fi lm begins to
draw to a close. It would have been
better had it gone on for longer as more
could have been explained. Anyway I
don’t want to have to ruin the ending.
You will enjoy it though!
5

6
LESBI-
FRIENDS
Elena Demetriou on
coming to terms with
coming out...
Dyke, lesbo, lezzie, queer, fanny basher
and muff muncher. These are some of the
names people call me. It doesn’t happen
every day, but these names stay with me,
making me feel vulnerable, an outcast.
They don’t know what I go through,
what obstacles I have to jump every day
due to my sexuality.
How did I know I was a lesbian? I tried
going out with boys but I felt uncomfortable
with them. When I was with
girls I felt at ease. You hear stories about
young people going through phases, especially
in their teenage years, and that’s
what I thought might be happening to
me. I was so confused, it was getting me
down, and I needed to talk to someone.
I went to see my school counsellor. She
told me to think it through, gave me
details about a community centre nearby
holding meetings for girls questioning
their sexuality. I went along to discover
people just as confused as me and began
to realise I must accept who I was.
When I fi rst came out, everyone
asked me: ‘was it diffi cult...?’ Defi -
nitely. I was scared people would judge
me and act differently. The biggest
hurdle was telling my mum and dad
because I’d read about parents kicking
their kids out for being homosexual.
However, I told them and they were okay.
They both said it didn’t come as a surprise
as they guessed some time ago: I never
wore skirts, always trousers. I enjoyed
football, basketball, rugby and tag rugby;
I played with Action Man rather than
Barbie. I haven’t told the rest of my dad’s
side of the family, I’m waiting for the
right time, they are a bit old fashioned
and I’m unsure how they will react.
“ The word got out
around my school and
I got a few dirty looks
and once a boy called
me a gay c**t. ”
When I did come out to my friends they
were cool with it. They would question
me with ‘are you sure?’ I would tell them
time and time again that I was, it’s just
my sexuality that’s changed not my
whole personality.

I’m still me. The word got
out around my school and
I got a few dirty looks and
once a boy called me a ‘gay
c**t’. Even though I was
angry at the time and wanted
to say stuff back, I couldn’t. I wanted to go
home, lock myself in my bedroom away
from the world. That’s what I did. I cried
for two hours non-stop – I’d never experienced
words as harsh. It scared me.
Sitting there, replaying what he said,
it brought back memories of previous
bullies: I had just entered year 7 with short
boyish hair and because I wore trousers
and hadn’t ‘developed’ yet, people in
school kept asking ‘am I a boy or a girl’.
They’d call me names like ‘he/she’ or
‘man beast’. I ran, I hid and I cried.
I asked my mum if I could switch schools
but then thought the bulling could be
worse somewhere else. No, I had to stand
up for myself.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
elena
I couldn’t let the bullies know I was
defeated. I had to hold my head high and
show them I’m stronger than I look.
The consequences of the bulling haven’t
all been bad. I am now stronger, happier,
more confi dent and determined not to
get pulled down! I don’t need to hide my
sexuality any more. I feel free.
If you are questioning your sexuality like
I was then talk to someone you can trust
or go to some support meetings that help
young confused people. Or, if you know
for sure, visit websites that help you fi nd
out more about being gay, lesbian or
bisexual. Here are sites that can help:
www.llgs.org.uk
www.outzone.org
www.lgbtcommunity.org.uk
duane
7

HOODIE
YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Robin Campbell has her protest hoodie on
In May 2005, a ban was enforced on
people wearing hoodies in shopping
centres. This was due to increasing crime
committed by young people in hooded
tops. Bluewater property manager, Helen
Smith, said in regard to Hoodies: “We’re
very concerned that some of our guests
don’t feel at all comfortable in what
really is a family environment.”
But why should young people obey
this ban? My hoodie wearing friends
are merely making a fashion statement,
not committing a crime, yet they are
immediately categorised as being ‘yobs’
or, more annoyingly, criminals or
shoplifters.
“ To shopping centres,
innocent youngsters
in hoodies are just
potential shoplifters ”
Of course some shoplifters and criminals
use hoods in an attempt to obscure their
faces, but why don’t shopping centres take
into account the vast majority of young
people who are law abiding? Shouldn’t
we be allowed to wear whatever we want?
Can’t we express ourselves through our
fashion and clothing? Can’t we just
feel warm and comfortable while we
shop? But these questions are obviously
not considered. To shopping centres,
innocent youngsters in hoodies are just
potential shoplifters.
There is the argument that youths in
hoodies cannot be recognised by CCTV
cameras and shopping centres have to
treat every hooded individual as a threat.
But the hoodie alone is not the cause
of crime and anti-social behaviour: it ‘s
just an accessory, a minor part of it all.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
It’s as if the actual garment is responsible.
Shopkeepers can’t ban young people in
general, that’s discriminatory, so they
ban hoods as an indirect way of deterring
us – although it’s specifi c troublemakers
that should be banned.
In 2007, The Telegraph claimed that
Britain had the largest number of CCTV
cameras in the world – about one for
every twelve people. Despite this, Britain
also has the highest rate of burglary in
the European Union. So what actual use
is CCTV in reducing crime? Especially
when we’re asked to remove our hoods
to be visible to shop cameras.
In 2006, more than a year after the ban,
David Cameron showed a soft spot for
hoodies, making a speech demanding
more ‘love to be shown’ to adolescents
and asking for more understanding to
hooded young people. Cameron attacked
the bans, arguing that children are
covering their faces in a response to crime
against them, not the other way round.
Teenagers are just trying to blend in by
wearing hoodies, not appear threatening.
Interesting point.
Is it that our government is too lazy to
fi nd the real trigger of increasing youth
crime and anti-social behaviour? (The
Telegraph, April 2008, states youth crime
is up by two-thirds). That blame is placed
on a hooded garment rather than the
real reasons for youth crime, like poverty.
It’s not young people that should be
scrutinized, it’s the government.
Surely a compromise could be reached
between shopping centres and young
people so that shopkeepers and shoppers
don’t see young people as intimidating
simply because they’re wearing a hood.
Until there is a time when the young can
express themselves without becoming
victims of prejudice, we remain hooded.
robin
9

SOLDIER ON
10

Anthony Antoniou goes from freekicks to the
frontline
I am in Wembley Stadium: a ball placed
on the penalty spot in front of me. I look
around and I realise it’s the World Cup
Final, I’m playing for England, it is 1-1
with four minutes left on the clock. I run
up...
I have always dreamed of being a professional
footballer. Last September I was
given the chance to have trials at Barnet
Football Club. I realised this was my only
opportunity so I gave everything. I got
turned down. According to Wikipedia
only four of every 100,000 white males,
two of every 100,000 black males, and
three of every million Hispanic males
achieve professional status.
“ I do understand there
are some negatives
to being in the army.
Sometimes you don’t
get to fi ght for what
you think is right. ”
It was now an impossible task. I wasn’t
good enough, and began thinking about
a new, very different, career. I started to
pay more attention to things around me,
for clues about what to do next. One
night I saw one of those army recruitment
adverts and I had an urge to join up. I also
watched a programme called ‘Ross Kemp
in Afghanistan’ which showed footage of
the confl ict taking place there.
In the army, like in football, your priority
is the team around you. You look after
your teammates and you watch out for
one another. The way I look at the army
is not guns, killing people, and war; it is
a place for self-discipline and learning
different aspects of life.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
I also want to join the army to fi ght for
my country. The travelling is something
that also excites me – you never just stay
in one place, you travel all around the
world discovering lots more than you
would in an offi ce job.
Mostly I’m looking forward to the
training, specifi cally learning to navigate
terrain, how to assemble and fi re a
weapon, and fi rst aid in order to help one
of the team if injured. These things keep
inspiring me to want to sign up.
I do understand there are some negatives
to being in the army. Sometimes you
don’t get to fi ght for what you think is
right. The army has changed; I think it
used to be about fi ghting for the principles
of your country, however now
the army just seems to fi ght for oil or
for power. I worry about fi ghting for
something I don’t believe in, but if I
protect my country and keep my family
safe, then that is what I will do.
I wouldn’t like to say goodbye to my
family knowing there is a chance that
I might never see them again. Also in
the army you have a chance of getting
injured, which scares me. These things do
put me off, but they are fears all soldiers
face, it’s the chance you have to take.
I’ve spoken to my parents about this and
they think that I am not serious, that I
wouldn’t last because you have to be
well disciplined. This is something that
I am determined to do and have thought
about a great deal. I wouldn’t go straight
off to the army though as I would not
want to miss out on going to college or
to university.
My mind is made up and I defi nitely
want to join the army in a few years, as
the experience would change my life. I’ve
told you what I want to do with my life
and hopefully my article has inspired you
to get involved in what you want to do,
no matter how scary.
anthony
11

12
gallery
Haringey by Nick May
Send your artwork to: The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfi eld Park N10 3QJ
or email: luke@exposure.org.uk. Full contact details on page 2
nick

gallery
Boy by Duane Uba
Send your artwork to: The Bigger Shoe Box, Muswell Hill Centre, Hillfi eld Park N10 3QJ
or email: luke@exposure.org.uk. Full contact details on page 2
duane
13

BLeed all
14
Abou t it

Shukier Skyers cuts through the hysteria of
knife crime
It is all over the news. There has been an
explosion in teen violence! Young people
are being stabbed and shot, they’re
dropping like fl ies. Everyone thinks they
are going to be next to die. Last year in
London, 27 teens were murdered and (at
the time of writing) an equal number of
young people have been killed so far this
year.
But as you creep down the street, terrifi ed
some thug in a hoodie will randomly
jump out and stab you, stop and think. 27.
There are a lots of under-18s in London,
1.8 million in fact. That means out of all
those, 27 were murdered, or 0.015% of
young people. Also, statistically, you’re
much more likely to be murdered by
someone you know; so you really don’t
have much to fear from strangers with
knives. The Health Service Journal says
that 331 young people were killed on
the roads in London last year; I don’t see
many young people running petrifi ed
from cars. You’re a victim to hysteria and
moral panic rather than knife crime.
A moral panic is the negative reaction
by a large group of people based on an
exaggerated or false perception of a
smaller group that is posing a threat to
society. In this case, the nation being
scared of young people carrying weapons
when there isn’t much to be afraid of.
“ You’re a victim to
hysteria and moral
panic rather than knife
crime ”
If you pay close attention to the news
you will notice they report that most of
the young people murdered in London
had some level of gang affi liation. Henry
Bolombi, 17, according to Sky News, was
involved in a gang fi ght when he was
killed. Shaquille Smith, 14, was chased
and killed by what the Mirror described
as ‘a gang of fi fteen youths on bikes’.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
It’s fair to assume that very similar
stabbings are gang related also. And it’s
logical to think that an effective way to
avoid being stabbed is not to join a gang.
You can further yourself from becoming
an awful statistic by avoiding arguments
in the street.
I’m sure your parents are even more
worried about your safety than you are
– this is completely normal. However,
parents, spurred on by the media add
to the mass hysteria by telling their
children how dangerous everywhere is.
Instead parents should focus their fears
by informing their children that certain
people, especially those in gangs, are
unsafe to hang around with; teaching
them to be aware of what’s around them
and how to avoid tricky situations.
If you’re walking down the road don’t
antagonise people and keep yourself to
yourself.
It’s not your fault that you or your
family are afraid. The media industry
is responsible. They have spread fear
among young people simply to sell more
newspapers; they make every killing
front-page news. They run morbid
features like death tolls, keeping readers
‘tuned in’ to see if the number has risen.
Never has the old cliché ‘If it bleeds it
leads’ been so appropriate.
It’s not a new thing though; moral panic
has existed for a long time. In the 14-
17th century, witch-hunts were common.
Women, suspected of black magic were
caught and killed, often without trial.
More recently terrorism has had the
British people petrifi ed of being blown
up or kidnapped. Today the moral panic
is you and I. Everyone is afraid of us; if
we wear a hoodie we’re automatically
carrying a knife; we’re automatically
aiming to stab someone.
By the time this is published the nation
could well be worried about something
else completely. People will forget about
the youngsters being killed and London
will be a safer place again.
shukier
15

16
Horoscope
By Esther Adewusi
Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21
\
You’re acting very selfi sh, all you care about is yourself. That’s not fair, you’re going to
hurt alot of people. They shouldn’t worry, there’s something called karma. It’s going to
come back for you! Mwahaha!
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Capricorn
One of your friends or family is lying to you, but you’re so wrapped up in
your life you can’t see it. Stop for a second and listen to your heart, it might
help you, now think before this certain person’s fi bs get you in deep crap.
Aquarius
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Make friends with whoever you’re not speaking - the past is the past, stop
sulking about it, no point holding a grudge when it’s partly your fault. Even
if you get rejected at least you tried, right?
Pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
No! You’re not always right; you need to respect other people’s opinion.
Their opinion might actually help you more than you think.

Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Why must you be so mean to your friend, all she wants is for you both to
go out and have fun, she doesn’t want to take over your life!! You’re such a
drama queen!
Get more organised mate, your things are everywhere!
Mar. 21 - Apr. 20
Apr. 21 - May 22
Just stay lazy, that will do you some good. Don’t do any physical labour; it’s
not for you to do!
Life isn’t always about an adventure. Just take life as it is.
May 23 - Jun. 23
Jun. 24 - Jul. 23
Jul. 24 - Aug. 23
Awww people love and care for you, this can’t help but increase your sense
of security and personal self-esteem, can it?
Aug. 24 - Sep. 22
Be more supportive, not everyone must use your advice and follow your
decisions. Some friends just want you to support them with their own
choices.
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
Your confi dence is over powering you at the moment, so do as much as you
can before your weakness takes over.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22
You will be feeling confi dent and in control, but don’t get in over your head!
Go out and mingle with people, don’t try too hard though, not everyone
wants to be your friend.
esther
17

Shian Plummer on the way we talk – u get me?
I have realised that when a documentary
or a fi lm is made about young people,
we’re made to sound silly. I understand
that – in most cases – there is a genuine
attempt to accurately recreate the way
we speak, but too often the programme
producers fail. There was a programme
called Fallout (a part of Channel 4’s
disarming Britain season back in July)
that had the young actors saying ‘cuz’
and ‘blud’ in one sentence; they mean
they same thing – we’d never say that.
“ We’re not trying to act
a certain way for the
sake of doing it, using
slang makes us feel
comfortable. ”
I discussed this with my mates and we
all arrived at the same conclusion: adults
think every word escaping the mouths
of inner-city youngsters is slang. Some
young people may talk like that, but only
if they are trying too hard and it makes
them sound like an idiot anyway. I know,
for sure, my friends and I do not speak
like that. We may use the odd few words
that are considered slang, but not a whole
sentence.
Certain words have changed and it
feels more natural to say them our
way than the traditional way. It’s often
done unconsciously. When I am around
my friends I will say the odd word like
‘shabby’ meaning ‘good’, ‘peng’ meaning
‘nice looking’, ‘bait’ meaning being ‘too
obvious’, or ‘kool nah’ meaning ‘calm
down’. I can turn it off if I want – when
talking to an adult I use full English.
For advice on this or any other issue see the list of local services in the directory on p27
When you’re on public transport or in
public places and you listen to young
people you think to yourself, do I really
speak like that? But we all do it sometimes
even if you think you don’t. But it’s as
natural to us as the words that anyone
from any area says. Glaswegian people
say things that Londoners don’t; by the
same rule young people say things that
adults don’t.
But we know when to stop. We know
that using slang in an interview could
ruin your chances of getting the job.
They may think that you’re the type of
person who’d be on the streets causing
trouble and that’s when the stereotyping
becomes a factor. You have to know your
limits or just know how to speak correctly
to a certain audience or person.
It would be better if young people
are used as consultants when making
documentaries and writing scripts,
as opposed to adults assuming they
understand our lives and the way
we communicate. There are certain
things that young people would have
experienced that adults wouldn’t have
that make up who we are. And it is
possible for us to do this. Exposure has
it’s own video department where fi lms are
made about issues affecting youngsters
that feel genuine because young people
were given control.
It’s clear that it annoys adults when
we speak in a way that is diffi cult to
understand. But all language evolves,
and slang is partly responsible for this
evolution. Take the word ‘gibberish’. That
was slang once, but is now an acceptable
word for someone who talks nonsense
– like a lot of adults! We’re not trying to
act a certain way for the sake of doing it.
Using slang makes us feel comfortable,
it’s become a natural thing for us to do.
shian
19

20
My friend and I have
started experimenting with
drugs and we feel like we
are getting addicted. I am
feeling anxious about it
in case we can’t stop our
drug abuse. Please help my
friend and me?
Drugs are dangerous.
It’s better to quit sooner
rather than later, so
throw away the drugs
right now. You’re lucky
because you have a
friend who can quit
with you and offer you
support, but you might
need extra help, which
you could get by going
to a group that can help
you quit.
By Julie Amaa and Ellen Scott
Illustrations by Victoria Opyrchal & Duane Uba
My mate wants to become just more
than friends, but I am not ready for a
relationship and don’t want to ruin the
friendship we have. He is attractive, but I
just don’t see him in that way. I’m worried
that whatever I do I will lose him.
Try dropping some really obvious
hints that you don’t want to date
your friend. For example, if he’s
short with brown hair, always talk
about how much you love guys
with blonde hair who are really
tall. Keep dropping hints, and if
he still doesn’t get the message, tell
him straight that it’s not something
you want – he’ll have to accept the
result.

A friend of mine always has
breadcrumbs round his mouth and
my mates and I don’t know whether
to tell him or not. When we speak
to him it’s hard to concentrate on
what he’s saying. The other day my
friend was going to tell him but I
stopped her as I felt sorry for him.
If it’s too awkward to tell your
friend about his embarrassing
problem, you could get
someone else to do it for you.
Another idea is making sure
he doesn’t eat any bread.
You can do this by snatching
sandwiches out of his hand.
Or maybe you should just tell
him; he’ll probably thank you
for it in the long run.
I feel ashamed because I have a
friend who has BO and her initials
are B.O. She is a really nice person
but I do not know how to tell her
that she basically STINKS. How do I
broach the subject?
You don’t actually have to tell
her that she smells. Instead
you can “accidentally” spray
her with deodorant every time
she walks past, and make sure
you buy her some really nice
soap for Christmas and for her
birthdays.
Everyone’s got problems - see the Directory on page 27 for a list of support services.
julie
Ellen
Victoria
duane
21

Emma Burridge on the dangers of the booze
and the bees.
We’ve all done things that we were regret
when drunk, whether it’s dancing like a
fool in front of everyone, showing more
fl esh than you originally wanted to, or
yelling at your best friend. But sometimes,
the hangover of what happened the night
before can have a much bigger, much
worse, and much longer lasting effect on
you.
According to the ‘Trust for the Study of
Adolescence’, eight out of ten teenagers
lose their virginity when drunk. They
also state that sexually transmitted infections,
such as chlamydia, are most
common in people between the ages of
16 and 19. Research proves there’s a link
between the two.
“ Boys who are
intoxicated are also
more likely to commit
sexual assault ”
Drinking excessively can depress your
central nervous system, lower your inhibitions
and impair your judgement: ever
noticed someone at a party when you’ve
had a few, thought they were attractive,
but then shocked the next time you see
them? That’s alcohol playing tricks on
you. Judgement calls and self respect go
out the window, leading to unsafe sex. In
such circumstances, he might forget to
put a condom on or not wear it correctly;
she might not care either way.
Excessive drinking has been scientifi -
cally proven to stimulate sexual feelings,
making teens more likely to engage
in sexual activity. The ‘Better Health
Channel’ website states that the possible
effects of binge drinking on adolescents
are date rape, exposure to sexually transmitted
infections, sex without a condom,
and possible pregnancy.
Girls are at particular risk of being
exploited when drunk. Some boys
(obviously not all!) will take advantage of
a girl who is wasted. A harsh reality, but
something we need to be aware of when
topping up our glasses.
emma
Alarmingly, according to parentingteens.
about.com of the school students asked,
18% of females and 39% of males say it is
acceptable for a boy to force sex if the girl
is stoned or drunk. If over a third of boys
believe this, the idea of girls regularly
going out and getting hammered is a
scary thought.
Boys who are intoxicated are also more
likely to commit sexual assault. The
‘Journal of Sex Education and Therapy’
reported that 68% of students who had
been sexually attacked said their attacker
was under the infl uence of alcohol.
Therefore, alcohol doesn’t only make you
more vulnerable, but more aggressive.
A recent article in the Times newspaper
said that, “too much alcohol leads to
unsafe sex”. Their research showed that
an incredible 80% of couples, where
one of the partners had HIV, did not use
condoms while under the infl uence of
alcohol. Testament to how careless people
can become when inebriated, even with a
virus, that once it’s developed into AIDS,
kills over 8,500 people around the world
everyday.
And of course, the other major factor
with unsafe sex is pregnancy. Children’s
minister, Beverley Hughes MP, admitted,
“alcohol contributes to a signifi cant proportion
of unwanted teenage pregnancies.”
So fellow teens, I urge you to take control
and know your limit! If you take it too far,
you could end with an unwanted baby,
with some sort of horrible infection, or
even be a victim of sexual assault.
For advice and guidance on any issues
relating to sex and relationships, sexual
health and your body visit www.ru
thinking.co.uk and www.shharing
ey.co.uk. All services are free, confi dential
and available to young people. You
can also visit your local GP who will have
information and advice on hand.
A list of local services dealing with
sexual health and drugs and alcohol
abuse can be found on page 27
23

24
What’s
happening?
Winning is child’s play
Haringey’s very own Somerford Grove
Adventure Park has won the London
Play Adventure Playground Award
2008, Sponsored by Capital Radio! The
winner was chosen by a panel of young
people and adult ‘experts’ in the fi eld of
adventure playgrounds (I know what I
want to be when I grow up!)
If you didn’t know already, Somerford
Park was opened in the summer of
2005 and is situated Park Lane Close,
Northumberland Park in Tottenham. It’s
the most up-to-date and recent adventure
park in London and is completely free
to children and teenagers between the
ages of fi ve and 15 – it’s only open after
school and on holidays so you can’t bunk
off and go there, although it’s defi nitely
more fun than Maths.

£ £ £
£ £ £
£ £ £
Overcoming
Agoraphobia, Melissa
Murphy.
Overcoming Agoraphobia is an amazing
descriptive book, about a disorder that
affects many young people in the UK.
It describes agoraphobia as being not
‘just a fear of open spaces, as usually
believed’, it’s unique ‘because each of us
has different fears and is in a different
situation.’
The book also gives an insight on people
living with the disorder that struggle on
a regular basis, while offering effective
advice on coping with anxiety attacks
and other suggesting solutions to the
physical and psychological symptoms of
agoraphobia.
If you know anyone who suffers from Agoraphobia
then this is essential reading.
It’s not only informative and interesting,
but is genuinely helpful.
Review By Gisela Dos Santos
Mo’ money, less
problems!
gisela
Haringey Council has won £650,000 from
government as a part of the Intensive
Intervention Project that aims to tackle
the issue of youth crime and anti-social
behaviour. We all know that youth
offending, and in particular knife crime,
has been a big issue for young people in
Haringey (have a look at our ‘Bleed all
about it’ article on pages 12 & 13 ) so it’s
great we’ve now got the funds to tackle
the matter.
The money will help reduce the amount
of young people not in training,
education or employment; reduce the
amount of youngsters from offending for
the fi rst time; and reduce the volume of
young people taking illegal drugs for the
fi rst time.
Good luck!
25

The Sea
By Julie Amaa
The wailing waves groan on through the passing days,
It’s gushing waves beat in their stoic ways,
The waves’ azure appearance remain still,
The silence germinates as part of the sea’s ecosystem.
It has a salty taste, which makes you feel sick – yet you still want to swim in it!
It is fun to swim in the sea,
It gives us a sense of freedom,
It can keep us cool on a scorching summer day,
How does the sea fl ow so well?
What makes the sea’s colour such a deep blue?
Why do people admire the sea’s passive persona?
Why do people love to sit behind the sea?
The sea’s silence is our noise,
Our sea expand all over the world,
Bringing joy and creating homes for its exotic inhabitants.
The shades of blue have a rainbow of its own,
The sea is a source of transport,
A means of getting around,
It is more profound than you think,
It cools the Earth’s crust,
Which helps us and,
The fi shes and crustaceans.
26 If you would like to see your poem published, please send it to editor@exposure.org.uk or post it to the address on page 2
julie

YOUTH CLUBS
Muswell Hill Area
Youth Project
Muswell Hill Centre,
Muswell Hill
020 8883 5855
Bruce Grove Area
Youth Project
10 Bruce Grove, Tottenham
020 3224 1089
Wood Green Area
Youth Project
White Hart Lane Community
Sports Centre
020 8489 8942
Broadwater Youth Club
Structured sport-based
programme
Broadwater Community
Centre, Tottenham
07870 15 7612
SEXUAL HEALTH
4YP Haringey
Young people’s sexual health
services including dedicated
clinic, drop-in sessions and
the 4YP bus
0800 161 3715
4YP Plus
Contraception and Sexual
Health Clinic
Women Only Clinic – for
under 20s
A confi dential walk in service
Thursdays 3:30pm-6:30pm
Lordship Lane Primary Care
Health Centre, 239 Lordship
Lane, London N17 6AA
4YP Clinic, St Ann’s Hospital
St Ann’s Road Tottenham
N15 3TH
020 8442 6605/6536
4YP nurse mobile :
07943817289
www.4yp.co.uk
Teenage Pregnancy and
Parenthood Team
Jan: 07817 164 4733
Margaret: 07971 309 513
Young Mums To Be
Course in Tottenham
for teenage mums
1 Ashley Road,
Tottenham Hale020 8275
4230
Directory
Outzone
Confi dential information
and support for lesbian, gay
and bisexual young people
www.outzone.org
DISABILITIES
Markfi eld Project
Inclusive services for disabled
and non-disabled young people
Markfi eld Road, Tottenham
020 8800 4134
DRUGS & ALCOHOL
In-Volve
For young people with drug
or alcohol issues
40 Bromley Road, Tottenham
020 8493 8525
Cosmic
For the families of people
with drug or alcohol issues
0800 38905257
www.in-volve.org.uk
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Hearthstone
For people experiencing
domestic violence
10 Commerce Road,
Wood Green
020 888 5362
MENTAL HEALTH
Antenna
For black African and
African-Caribbean young people
9 Bruce Grove, Tottenham
020 8365 9537
www.antennaoutreach.co.uk
Haringey Young People’s
Counselling Service
Advice and support for
young people
White Hart Lane Community
Sports Centre
020 8489 8944
Host
General mental health care
312 High Road, Tottenham
020 8885 8160
Revolving Doors Agency
Tackling the link between
mental health and crime
07779 098 269
www.revolving-doors.co.uk
Victim Support Haringey
Working for victims of crime
020 8888 9878
www.vslondon.org
HOUSING
Shelterline
Shelter’s free housing advice line
0808 800 4444
VOLUNTEERING
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Programme of personal
development
020 8826 9393
BTCV V involved Team
National volunteering
programme
www.btcv.org.uk
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING
e2e
Employment scheme
122-124 High Road,
Wood Green
020 8889 0022
KIS Training
Helping young people into
employment, education
& enterprise
1 Ashley Road,
Tottenham Hale
020 8275 4230
Harington Scheme
Preparing young people with
learning diffi culties or disabilities
for work
55a Cholmeley Park, Highgate
www.harington.org.uk
Junction
One-stop shop for young people
2nd Floor, Wood Green
Library
020 8881 7050
Drop-in centre
Ground fl oor Marcus Garvey
library
Leisure Centre N15 4JA
www.thejunctionharingey.
co.uk
Exposure is a registered trademark of Exposure
Organisation Limited, registered in England
no. 3455480, registered charity no. 1073922.
The views expressed in Exposure do not
necessarily refl ect those of the publisher.
(c) 2008. All rights reserved. ISSN 1362-8585
If your organisation would like to be included on this page please call 020 8883 0260 27

Your Space
Haringey is your Space - a whole borough packed with opportunities for young people.
Youth Space is a website designed to bring all these opportunities together, meaning you can
spend more time benefi ting from Haringey’s activities, than looking for them.
From football to fashion, from accreditation to qualifi cation, from music to making money
- if it’s in Haringey, it’s on Youth Space.
Find out what you can do with your life at:
www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk