Southport attack victims' parents advocate for better child upbringing

The parents of a girl who survived a brutal knife attack in Southport last year have spoken out about the need to improve how children are raised. They believe that better upbringing and education about healthy relationships can help reduce knife crime. Their daughter, known as child A, was stabbed over 30 times during the attack in July 2024. In a statement during a debate on knife crime, Labour MP Paul Foster shared their views. The parents support tougher laws regarding knife sales but emphasize the importance of educating young people to counter harmful online influences. They specifically mentioned the negative impact of social media figures like Andrew Tate on teenage boys. They praised a Netflix show called "Adolescence" for addressing issues of misogyny and radicalization among youth. The parents stressed that addressing knife crime requires complex and long-term solutions that start with raising children in a supportive environment. The tragic incident involved the murders of three young girls by a 17-year-old named Axel Rudakubana, who is now serving a lengthy prison sentence. The parents mentioned that while legislation on knife sales is necessary for immediate safety, it is equally important to understand the motivations behind youth violence. They called for better support for parents and caregivers in recognizing and aiding at-risk youth. The family advocates for teaching children the fundamentals of healthy friendships and relationships, ensuring equality between girls and boys. Finally, they expressed hope that current discussions around violence against women and girls will lead to meaningful change. Mr. Foster praised the courage of the family and urged collective efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.