YOUNG people in Oxfordshire are being asked to rap, sing or put into rhyme their feelings about love as part of a campaign against domestic violence.

A competition for 11-19 year olds has been launched by the Oxfordshire Domestic Violence Steering Group to write a song, poem or rap on the subject What is Love?, with winners given the opportunity to perform their piece at a special event.

Domestic abuse co-ordinator Michelle Plaisted-Kerr said: “We have been running a campaign around domestic abuse since November with a new helpline and part of that campaign was to engage young people.

“We felt it was a really good opportunity to address the issue in a way they could relate to, by giving a rap, a poem or a song.”

The organisation has asked all secondary schools in the county if they would like to take part, with entries invited either from individuals or groups in age groups 11-13, 14-16 and 17-19.

Information has also been distributed to youth groups and other organisations dealing with young people.

Mrs Plaisted-Kerr said: “Domestic abuse is a word which is ambiguous and it cuts across all genders, cultures and beliefs and affects children as well. Teens are going from being a child to an adult and exploring what sort of partner they want, so we thought this would give them an opportunity to explore that, including the domestic abuse aspect.”

She said key messages for young people she hoped to see tackled included issues such as emotional, physical and sexual abuse, which could range from name calling and jealousy to pressuring someone into having sex.

Mrs Plaisted-Kerr said: “We are hoping it will start a discussion with youngster about what is love and it will give school teachers a vehicle to have discussions about these issues with young people and what better way of doing that than through music or poetry.

The first entry has already arrived, a rap by an 11-year-old boy. Young people have until Friday, March 6 to enter.

Winners will be presented with prizes, which include iPods, music vouchers and £100 towards schools and youth groups where appropriate, at a ceremony at Oxford Town Hall in St Aldate’s, on Thursday, March 19.

The best raps, songs and poems will be performed at the event, while all other entrants will be displayed in a gallery at the event.

l Information about entering is available on spired.com/whatislove fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk