People from across the county are being asked to show their support for a national campaign which aims to help put a stop to sexual exploitation of children.
The Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board is calling on everyone of any age and from every background to unite against child sexual exploitation by taking part in the awareness day organised by charity The NWG Network on Wednesday 18th March.
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The campaign seeks to highlight the issue by encouraging people to write a personal pledge on their hands about stopping child sexual exploitation then posting it on Facebook, sales Twitter, find Instagram or Snapchat using the hashtag #HelpingHands.
Throughout the day local leaders and professionals who sit on the board including the police, health trusts and Gloucestershire County Council will show their support by posting personal pledges online. #HelpingHands photos from local participants will also be retweeted.
Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse that involves the manipulation of young people under the age of 18 into sexual activity.
The national child sexual exploitation awareness day aims to encourage everyone to think, spot and speak out against this abuse and adopt a zero tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children developing inappropriate relationships with other children.
David McCallum, Independent Chair of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Sexual exploitation is child abuse and we need to do all we can working together as partners, individuals and communities to put a stop to it.
“Whether parents, professionals, teachers, school friends, neighbours or those working in bars, clubs, hotels or driving buses or taxis we all have a role to play in keeping children safe.
“If you see something, say something. If you think a child you know may be at risk of sexual exploitation please speak to someone you trust or call the Children’s Helpdesk on 01452 426565.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board and its members have launched a number of initiatives in the county to tackle this type of abuse. In the past two years it has:
- Worked with taxi drivers and hoteliers to educate staff on the signs to look out for.
- Rolled out a theatre production called ‘Chelsea’s choice’ in Gloucestershire schools to equip children with information on what to do if they or a friend is being sexually exploited. Over the past three years, 21,000 year 8 pupils have seen the production
- Delivered targeted training to professionals working across police, social care, health, voluntary and community and education sectors to help staff recognise the signs.
- Made available through the GSCB website two online e-learning courses designed to give parents and professionals practical information to help protect children against this type of abuse.
- Launched a specialist child sexual exploitation screening tool developed using research from child charity Barnardos.
- Published a CSE Commissioning Strategy and Action Plan
For more information on the national awareness day visit www.stop-cse.org.
For more information on Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board and the child sexual exploitation online training visit www.gscb.org.uk.
Follow @GlosCC, @GlosPolice, @GlosCCG and @Glos_CareNHS on Twitter for #HelpingHands activity on Wednesday 18th March.