Introduction

Knife crime among young people is one of the most pressing issues facing modern society. Its devastating impact ripples through families, schools, and communities, leaving lasting scars. The Netflix series Adolescence tackles this issue head-on, offering a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the consequences of youth violence. As someone deeply involved in knife crime prevention campaigns, I was drawn to the series, particularly its depiction of a 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing a fellow pupil. Having personally attended the scene and reported on the tragic stabbing of Harvey Willgoose in Sheffield in February 2025, I found Adolescence to be a poignant and often harrowing reflection of real-life events. This article explores how the series mirrors the Harvey Willgoose case, the emotional and societal impact of knife crime, and the urgent need for prevention and intervention.

The Series: A Hard-Hitting Drama

Adolescence is a coming-of-age drama that delves into the turbulent lives of teenagers navigating identity, relationships, and societal pressures. The central theme—a 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing a fellow pupil—resonated deeply with me, given my work in knife crime prevention. The series is unflinching in its portrayal of the incident, from the initial arrest and processing of the minor at a police station to the psychological assessment and legal proceedings. These scenes were strikingly accurate, reflecting the reality of such cases.

The writers occasionally strayed from the central theme, but they always returned to the emotional core of the story. By the end, I was deeply moved by the series’ exploration of guilt, trauma, and the search for justice. The stabbing incident serves as a pivotal moment, shedding light on the escalation of conflict, the aftermath for all involved, and the response of the school and community. These themes are not just fictional—they mirror the tragic real-life case of Harvey Willgoose.

Parallels to the Harvey Willgoose Case

Harvey, a 15-year-old boy, was stabbed to death by a fellow pupil at school in February 2025, a crime that shocked the nation and underscored the urgent need to address knife crime among young people. The parallels between Harvey’s case and the fictional stabbing in Adolescence are striking.

• Access to Knives: Both cases highlight the ease with which young people can obtain knives. In Adolescence, the series explores how the perpetrator acquired the weapon, raising questions about parental oversight and societal failures. Similarly, in Harvey’s case, the availability of knives and the lack of effective prevention measures were significant factors.
• Warning Signs: The series delves into the importance of recognising and addressing warning signs of violent behavior. In Harvey’s case, there were reportedly signs that the perpetrator had a history of aggression, yet these were not adequately addressed by teachers, parents, or mental health professionals. Adolescence underscores the need for early intervention to prevent such tragedies.
• Impact on Families: Both the victim’s and the perpetrator’s families are left devastated by such incidents. The series portrays the long-term consequences for these families, including their search for justice and healing. Having spoken to some of Harvey’s friends and local residents and witnessed their grief firsthand, I can attest to the accuracy of these portrayals. The perpetrator’s family, too, is often left grappling with guilt, societal judgment, and the lifelong burden of thinking they failed as parents.

 

The Emotional and Social Impact

The stabbing incident in Adolescence and the Harvey Willgoose case both highlight the far-reaching consequences of knife crime:

• Fear and Trauma: The series shows how the incident creates a climate of fear and trauma within the school, affecting students’ mental health and academic performance. This mirrors the real-life impact of Harvey’s death on his school and community.
• Social Division: The incident leads to social division, with students taking sides and forming cliques based on their perceptions of the victim and perpetrator. This exacerbates existing tensions within the school community, a dynamic I observed in the aftermath of Harvey’s death.

 

The Perpetrator’s Family: A Nuanced Perspective

One of the most powerful aspects of Adolescence is its exploration of the impact on the perpetrator’s family. This is often overlooked in discussions of knife crime, yet it is a critical part of the narrative.

• Immediate Shock and Grief: The parents of the boy who stabbed the girl are portrayed as experiencing disbelief, horror, and profound sadness.
• Guilt and Self-Blame: The series includes intimate moments of the parents reflecting on their parenting choices, questioning where they went wrong.
• Societal Judgment and Isolation: The family faces harsh judgment from their community, leading to social isolation and a sense of shame. This is a reality for many families of offenders.
• Long-Term Impact: The incident has lifelong consequences for the family, including strained relationships, financial difficulties, and enduring stigma. The series’ portrayal of this is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.

 

Broader Implications and Call to Action

Both Adolescence and the Harvey Willgoose case highlight the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackling knife crime:

• Education and Awareness: Schools must educate young people about the dangers of carrying knives and the consequences of violence.
• Community Support: Strong community networks can provide young people with alternatives to violence, such as sports, arts, and mentorship programs. The series depicts how a lack of such opportunities contributes to the problem.
• Policy and Legislation: Stricter laws on knife possession and better enforcement of existing regulations are essential.

 

By mirroring the Harvey Willgoose case, Adolescence serves as a powerful call to action. It urges viewers to get involved in efforts to prevent knife crime, whether through supporting local initiatives, advocating for policy changes, or simply being more aware of the signs of violence among young people.

Conclusion

Adolescence is more than just a drama—it is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the devastating impact of knife crime on young people, their families, and their communities. Having attended the scene and reported on the Harvey Willgoose stabbing in February 2025, I found the series to be a poignant and accurate portrayal of the issues I have encountered in my campaign work. By exploring the emotional and societal impact of knife crime, Adolescence fosters empathy and understanding, while sparking important conversations about the root causes of youth violence and the need for comprehensive solutions. It is a call to action that we cannot afford to ignore.

Edwin Duggan LLB(Hons)

Published 21st March 2025